Display device with touch detecting function and electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to an aspect, a display device with a touch detecting function includes: a substrate; a display area; a touch detection electrode provided with a plurality of conductive thin wires, each of the conductive thin wires including a plurality of thin wire pieces each having a linear shape and including a first end and a second end; a drive electrode; and a display functional layer. The adjacent thin wire pieces are arranged so as to be bent at a bent portion serving as a portion at which the second end of the one thin wire piece of the adjacent thin wire pieces is connected to the first end of the other thin wire piece of the adjacent thin wire pieces, and the conductive thin wires include a bent portion having an angle formed by the adjacent thin wire pieces different from angles of the other bent portions.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/928,508, filed on Mar. 22, 2018, whichapplication is a continuation application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/209,274, filed on Jul. 13, 2016, issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,946,385 on Apr. 17, 2018, which application is a continuationapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/220,943, filed onMar. 20, 2014, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,471,165 on Oct. 18, 2016, whichapplication claims priority to Japanese Priority Patent Application JP2013-067627 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Mar. 27, 2013, theentire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a display device capable of detectingan external proximity object and an electronic apparatus, and inparticular to a display device with a touch detecting function capableof detecting an external proximity object based on a change incapacitance and an electronic apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Touch detection devices capable of detecting an external proximityobject, which are what is called a touch panel, have been attractingattention in recent years. Touch panels are attached or integrated ondisplay devices, such as liquid-crystal display devices, and are usedfor display devices with a touch detecting function. In display deviceswith a touch detecting function, displaying various types of buttonimages and the like on a display device enables input of informationusing the touch panel as a substitute for general mechanical buttons.Such display devices with a touch detecting function including a touchpanel require no input device, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and akeypad. As a result, display devices with a touch detecting functionhave been increasingly used for portable information terminals, such asmobile phones, besides for computers.

Some types of technologies for touch detection devices are known,including optical, resistive, and capacitive type, for example. Byapplying a capacitive touch detection device to a portable informationterminal, it is possible to provide an apparatus with a relativelysimple structure and less power consumption. Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-open Publication No. 2010-197576 (JP-A-2010-197576), for example,discloses a touch panel that makes a transparent electrode patterninvisible.

To provide a display device with a touch detecting function having asmaller thickness, a larger screen, or higher definition, it isnecessary to lower the resistance of a touch detection electrode. Thetouch detection electrode is made of a translucent conductive oxide,such as an indium tin oxide (ITO), serving as a material of atranslucent electrode. To lower the resistance of the touch detectionelectrode, it is effective to use a conductive material, such as a metalmaterial. If a conductive material, such as a metal material, is used,interference between pixels of the display device and the conductivematerial, such as a metal material, may possibly cause moire to bevisually recognized.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a display device with atouch detecting function and an electronic apparatus that can reduce thepossibility that moire is visually recognized while using a touchdetection electrode made of a conductive material, such as a metalmaterial.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect, a display device with a touch detecting functionincludes: a substrate; a display area in which pixels each composed of aplurality of color areas are arranged in a matrix on a plane parallel toa surface of the substrate; a touch detection electrode provided with aplurality of conductive thin wires extending on a plane parallel to thesurface of the substrate, each of the conductive thin wires including aplurality of thin wire pieces each having a linear shape and including afirst end and a second end, the second end of one of adjacent thin wirepieces and the first end of the other of the adjacent thin wire piecesbeing connected to each other; a drive electrode having capacitance forthe touch detection electrode; and a display functional layer having afunction to display an image on the display area. The adjacent thin wirepieces are arranged so as to be bent at a bent portion serving as aportion at which the second end of the one thin wire piece of theadjacent thin wire pieces is connected to the first end of the otherthin wire piece of the adjacent thin wire pieces, and the conductivethin wires include a bent portion having an angle formed by the adjacentthin wire pieces different from angles of the other bent portions.

According to another aspect, an electronic apparatus has a displaydevice with a touch detecting function. The display device with a touchdetecting function includes: a substrate; a display area in which pixelseach composed of a plurality of color areas are arranged in a matrix ona plane parallel to a surface of the substrate; a touch detectionelectrode provided with a plurality of conductive thin wires extendingon a plane parallel to the surface of the substrate, each of theconductive thin wires including a plurality of thin wire pieces eachhaving a linear shape and including a first end and a second end, thesecond end of one of adjacent thin wire pieces and the first end of theother of the adjacent thin wire pieces being connected to each other; adrive electrode having capacitance for the touch detection electrode;and a display functional layer having a function to display an image onthe display area. The adjacent thin wire pieces are arranged so as to bebent at a bent portion serving as a portion at which the second end ofthe one thin wire piece of the adjacent thin wire pieces is connected tothe first end of the other thin wire piece of the adjacent thin wirepieces, and the conductive thin wires include a bent portion having anangle formed by the adjacent thin wire pieces different from angles ofthe other bent portions.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary configuration of a displaydevice with a touch detecting function according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating a state where no finger is incontact or in proximity with a device for explanation of the basicprinciple of a capacitive touch detection technology;

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining an example of an equivalent circuit inthe state where no finger is in contact or in proximity with a deviceillustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating a state where a finger is incontact or in proximity with a device for explanation of the basicprinciple of the capacitive touch detection technology;

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an example of the equivalent circuit inthe state where a finger is in contact or in proximity with a deviceillustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example of a waveform of a drive signal and atouch detection signal;

FIG. 7 is a view of an example of a module on which the display devicewith a touch detecting function is mounted;

FIG. 8 is a view of another example of the module on which the displaydevice with a touch detecting function is mounted;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a schematic sectional structure of adisplay unit with a touch detecting function according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of pixel arrangement of the display unitwith a touch detecting function according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of driveelectrodes and touch detection electrodes of the display device with atouch detecting function according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a timing waveform chart of an exemplary operation of thedisplay device with a touch detecting function according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a schematic of arrangement of the touch detection electrodesaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic of partial arrangement of a touch detectionelectrode according to a first modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a schematic of partial arrangement of a touch detectionelectrode according to a second modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a schematic for explaining the relative positional relationbetween a first end and a second end of a thin wire piece according to athird modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a diagram of moire evaluation of the display device with atouch detecting function according to the third modification of thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a schematic for explaining the relative positional relationbetween a first end and a second end of a thin wire piece according to afourth modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a diagram of moire evaluation of the display device with atouch detecting function according to the fourth modification of thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a schematic of arrangement of a touch detection electrodeaccording to a second embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a schematic of partial arrangement of a touch detectionelectrode according to a first modification of the second embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of a schematic sectional structure of thedisplay unit with a touch detecting function according to a thirdembodiment;

FIG. 23 is a schematic of an example of an electronic apparatus to whichthe display device with a touch detecting function or the display deviceaccording to any of the first to the third embodiments and themodifications is applied;

FIG. 24 is a schematic of an example of an electronic apparatus to whichthe display device with a touch detecting function or the display deviceaccording to any of the first to the third embodiments and themodifications is applied;

FIG. 25 is a schematic of the example of an electronic apparatus towhich the display device with a touch detecting function or the displaydevice according to any of the first to the third embodiments and themodifications is applied;

FIG. 26 is a schematic of an example of an electronic apparatus to whichthe display device with a touch detecting function or the display deviceaccording to any of the first to the third embodiments and themodifications is applied;

FIG. 27 is a schematic of an example of an electronic apparatus to whichthe display device with a touch detecting function or the display deviceaccording to any of the first to the third embodiments and themodifications is applied;

FIG. 28 is a schematic of an example of an electronic apparatus to whichthe display device with a touch detecting function or the display deviceaccording to any of the first to the third embodiments and themodifications is applied;

FIG. 29 is a schematic of an example of an electronic apparatus to whichthe display device with a touch detecting function or the display deviceaccording to any of the first to the third embodiments and themodifications is applied;

FIG. 30 is a schematic of an example of an electronic apparatus to whichthe display device with a touch detecting function or the display deviceaccording to any of the first to the third embodiments and themodifications is applied;

FIG. 31 is a schematic of an example of an electronic apparatus to whichthe display device with a touch detecting function or the display deviceaccording to any of the first to the third embodiments and themodifications is applied;

FIG. 32 is a schematic of an example of an electronic apparatus to whichthe display device with a touch detecting function or the display deviceaccording to any of the first to the third embodiments and themodifications is applied;

FIG. 33 is a schematic of an example of an electronic apparatus to whichthe display device with a touch detecting function or the display deviceaccording to any of the first to the third embodiments and themodifications is applied;

FIG. 34 is a schematic of an example of an electronic apparatus to whichthe display device with a touch detecting function or the display deviceaccording to any of the first to the third embodiments and themodifications is applied; and

FIG. 35 is a schematic of an example of an electronic apparatus to whichthe display device with a touch detecting function or the display deviceaccording to any of the first to the third embodiments and themodifications is applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary aspects (embodiments) according to the present disclosure aredescribed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.The contents disclosed in the following embodiments are not intended tolimit the present disclosure. Components described below includecomponents easily conceivable by those skilled in the art and componentssubstantially identical. The components described below can be combinedas appropriate. The explanation will be made in the following order.

1. EMBODIMENTS (DISPLAY DEVICE WITH A TOUCH DETECTING FUNCTION)

1-1. First embodiment

1-2. Second embodiment

1-3. Third embodiment

2. APPLICATION EXAMPLES (ELECTRONIC APPARATUSES)

Examples in which the display device with a touch detecting functionaccording to the above-mentioned embodiments is applied to electronicapparatuses

3. ASPECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE 1. Embodiments 1-1. FirstEmbodiment 1-1A. Exemplary Configuration Exemplary Entire Configuration

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary configuration of a displaydevice with a touch detecting function according to a first embodiment.A display device 1 with a touch detecting function includes a displayunit 10 with a touch detecting function, a control unit 11, a gatedriver 12, a source driver 13, a drive electrode driver 14, and a touchdetecting unit 40. In the display device 1 with a touch detectingfunction, the display unit 10 with a touch detecting function has atouch detecting function. The display unit 10 with a touch detectingfunction is a device in which a liquid-crystal display unit 20 providedwith liquid-crystal display elements as display elements is integratedwith a capacitive touch detecting device 30. The display unit 10 with atouch detecting function may be a device in which the capacitive touchdetecting device 30 is mounted on the liquid-crystal display unit 20provided with liquid-crystal display elements as display elements. Theliquid-crystal display unit 20 may be an organic electro-luminescence(EL) display unit, for example.

The liquid-crystal display unit 20 performs sequential scanning on eachhorizontal line based on a scanning signal Vscan supplied from the gatedriver 12, thereby performing display, which will be described later.The control unit 11 is a circuit that supplies control signals to thegate driver 12, the source driver 13, the drive electrode driver 14, andthe touch detecting unit 40 based on a video signal Vdisp supplied fromthe outside, thereby controlling these units so as to operate insynchronization with one another.

The gate driver 12 has a function to sequentially select a horizontalline to be a target of display drive of the display unit 10 with a touchdetecting function based on the control signal supplied from the controlunit 11.

The source driver 13 is a circuit that supplies a pixel signal Vpix toeach sub-pixel SPix, which will be described later, of the display unit10 with a touch detecting function based on the control signal suppliedfrom the control unit 11.

The drive electrode driver 14 is a circuit that supplies a drive signalVcom to drive electrodes COML, which will be described later, of thedisplay unit 10 with a touch detecting function based on the controlsignal supplied from the control unit 11.

The touch detecting unit 40 is a circuit that detects whether a touch (acontact or a proximity state, which will be described later) is made onthe touch detecting device 30 based on the control signal supplied fromthe control unit 11 and a touch detection signal Vdet supplied from thetouch detecting device 30 of the display unit 10 with a touch detectingfunction. If a touch is made, the touch detecting unit 40 derives thecoordinates of the touch in a touch detection area. The touch detectingunit 40 includes a touch detection signal amplifier 42, ananalog/digital (A/D) converter 43, a signal processing unit 44, acoordinate extracting unit 45, and a detection timing control unit 46.

The touch detection signal amplifier 42 amplifies a touch detectionsignal Vdet supplied from the touch detecting device 30. The touchdetection signal amplifier 42 may include an analog low pass filter. Theanalog low pass filter removes high-frequency components (noisecomponents) included in the touch detection signal Vdet, therebyextracting and outputting touch components.

Basic Principle of Capacitive Touch Detection

The touch detecting device 30 operates based on the basic principle ofcapacitive touch detection, thereby outputting the touch detectionsignal Vdet. The following describes the basic principle of touchdetection in the display device 1 with a touch detecting functionaccording to the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6.FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating a state where no finger is incontact or in proximity with a device for explanation of the basicprinciple of a capacitive touch detection technology. FIG. 3 is a viewfor explaining an example of an equivalent circuit in the state where nofinger is in contact or in proximity with a device illustrated in FIG.2. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating a state where a finger isin contact or in proximity with the device for explanation of the basicprinciple of the capacitive touch detection technology. FIG. 5 is a viewfor explaining an example of the equivalent circuit in the state where afinger is in contact or in proximity with a device illustrated in FIG.4. FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example of a waveform of a drive signal anda touch detection signal.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, capacitive elements C1 and C1′ eachinclude a pair of electrodes of a drive electrode E1 and a touchdetection electrode E2 arranged in a manner facing each other with adielectric D interposed therebetween, for example. As illustrated inFIG. 3, one end of the capacitive element C1 is coupled to analternating-current (AC) signal source (a drive signal source) S,whereas the other end thereof is coupled to a voltage detector (a touchdetecting unit) DET. The voltage detector DET is an integration circuitincluded in the touch detection signal amplifier 42 illustrated in FIG.1, for example.

If the AC signal source S applies an alternating-current (AC)rectangular wave Sg at a predetermined frequency (e.g., approximatelyseveral kilohertz to several hundred kilohertz) to the drive electrodeE1 (the one end of the capacitive element C1), an output waveform (touchdetection signal Vdet) is generated via the voltage detector DET coupledto the touch detection electrode E2 (the other end of the capacitiveelement C1). The AC rectangular wave Sg corresponds to a touch drivesignal Vcomt, which will be described later.

In the state where no finger is in contact (or in proximity) with adevice (a non-contact state), an electric current I₀ depending on thecapacitance value of the capacitive element C1 flows in association withcharge and discharge to the capacitive element C1 as illustrated in FIG.2 and FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the voltage detector DETconverts fluctuations in the electric current I₀ depending on the ACrectangular wave Sg into fluctuations in the voltage (a waveform V₀indicated by a solid line).

By contrast, in the state where a finger is in contact (or in proximity)with a device (a contact state), capacitance C2 generated by the fingeris in contact or in proximity with the touch detection electrode E2 asillustrated in FIG. 4. This blocks capacitance of a fringe between thedrive electrode E1 and the touch detection electrode E2. As a result,the capacitive element C1′ having a capacitance value smaller than thatof the capacitive element C1 is obtained. In the equivalent circuitillustrated in FIG. 5, an electric current I₁ flows through thecapacitive element C1′. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the voltage detectorDET converts fluctuations in the electric current I₁ depending on the ACrectangular wave Sg into fluctuations in the voltage (a waveform V₁indicated by a dotted line). In this case, the waveform V₁ has amplitudesmaller than that of the waveform V₀. Thus, an absolute value |ΔV| ofthe voltage difference between the waveform V₀ and the waveform V₁varies depending on an influence of an object, such as a finger,approaching the device from the outside. To detect the absolute value|ΔV| of the voltage difference between the waveform V₀ and the waveformV₁ with high accuracy, the voltage detector DET preferably operateswhile providing a period Reset for resetting charge and discharge of acapacitor based on the frequency of the AC rectangular wave Sg byperforming switching in the circuit.

The touch detecting device 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 performs sequentialscanning on each detection block based on the drive signal Vcom (touchdrive signal Vcomt, which will be described later) supplied from thedrive electrode driver 14, thereby performing touch detection.

The touch detecting device 30 outputs the touch detection signal Vdetfor each detection block from a plurality of touch detection electrodesTDL, which will be described later, via the voltage detector DETillustrated in FIG. 3 or FIG. 5, thereby supplying the touch detectionsignal Vdet to the touch detection signal amplifier 42 of the touchdetecting unit 40.

The A/D converter 43 is a circuit that samples an analog signal outputfrom the touch detection signal amplifier 42 at a timing synchronizedwith the drive signal Vcom, thereby converting the analog signal into adigital signal.

The signal processing unit 44 includes a digital filter. The digitalfilter reduces frequency components (noise components) other than thefrequency at which the drive signal Vcom is sampled included in theoutput signal of the A/D converter 43. The signal processing unit 44 isa logic circuit that detects whether a touch is made on the touchdetecting device 30 based on the output signal from the A/D converter43. The signal processing unit 44 performs processing for extractingonly the voltage difference caused by a finger. The voltage differencecaused by the finger corresponds to the absolute value |ΔV| of thedifference between the waveform V₀ and the waveform V₁. The signalprocessing unit 44 may perform an arithmetic operation for averaging theabsolute value |ΔV| per detection block, thereby deriving the averagevalue of the absolute value |ΔV|. An Thus, the signal processing unit 44can reduce an influence caused by noise. The signal processing unit 44compares the detected voltage difference caused by the finger with apredetermined threshold voltage. If the voltage difference is equal toor larger than the threshold voltage, the signal processing unit 44determines that an external proximity object approaching the device fromthe outside is in contact with the device. If the voltage difference issmaller than the threshold voltage, the signal processing unit 44determines that the external proximity object is not in contact with thedevice. Thus, the touch detecting unit 40 can perform touch detection.

The coordinate extracting unit 45 is a logic circuit that derives, whena touch is detected by the signal processing unit 44, the touch panelcoordinates of the touch. The detection timing control unit 46 performscontrol such that the A/D converter 43, the signal processing unit 44,and the coordinate extracting unit 45 operate in synchronization withone another. The coordinate extracting unit 45 outputs touch panelcoordinates as a signal output Vout.

Module

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views of examples of a module on which the displaydevice with a touch detecting function is mounted. To mount the displaydevice 1 with a touch detecting function on the module, the driveelectrode driver 14 may be formed above a thin-film transistor (TFT)substrate 21, which is a glass substrate, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the display device 1 with a touch detectingfunction includes the display unit 10 with a touch detecting function,the drive electrode driver 14, and a chip on glass (COG) 19A. FIG. 7schematically illustrates the drive electrodes COML and the touchdetection electrodes TDL in the display unit 10 with a touch detectingfunction viewed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the TFTsubstrate 21, which will be described later. The touch detectionelectrodes TDL are formed to intersect with the drive electrodes COML ina grade separated manner. In other words, the drive electrodes COML areformed in a direction along one side of the display unit 10 with a touchdetecting function, whereas the touch detection electrodes TDL areformed in a direction along the other side of the display unit 10 with atouch detecting function. The output terminal of the touch detectionelectrodes TDL is provided at an end in the other side direction of thedisplay unit 10 with a touch detecting function. The output terminal iscoupled to the touch detecting device 40 mounted on the outside of themodule via a terminal T formed of a flexible substrate or the like. Thedrive electrode driver 14 is formed on the TFT substrate 21, which is aglass substrate. The COG 19A is a chip mounted on the TFT substrate 21and includes circuits required for a display operation, such as thecontrol unit 11, the gate driver 12, and the source driver 13illustrated in FIG. 1. In the display device 1 with a touch detectingfunction, the drive electrode driver 14 may be included in a COG asillustrated in FIG. 8.

The module, on which the display device 1 with a touch detectingfunction is mounted, includes a COG 19B as illustrated in FIG. 8. TheCOG 19B illustrated in FIG. 8 includes the drive electrode driver 14besides the circuits required for a display operation described above.The display device 1 with a touch detecting function performsline-sequential scanning on each horizontal line in a display operation,which will be described later. By contrast, the display device 1 with atouch detecting function sequentially applies the drive signal Vcom tothe drive electrodes COML in a touch detection operation, therebyperforming line-sequential scanning on each detection line.

Display Unit with a Touch Detecting Function

The following describes an exemplary configuration of the display unit10 with a touch detecting function in greater detail. FIG. 9 is asectional view of a schematic sectional structure of the display unitwith a touch detecting function according to the first embodiment. FIG.10 is a circuit diagram of pixel arrangement of the display unit with atouch detecting function according to the first embodiment. The displayunit 10 with a touch detecting function includes a pixel substrate 2, acounter substrate 3, and a liquid-crystal layer 6. The counter substrate3 is arranged in a manner facing the surface of the pixel substrate 2 ina perpendicular direction. The liquid-crystal layer 6 is insertedbetween the pixel substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3.

The pixel substrate 2 includes the TFT substrate 21, a plurality ofpixel electrodes 22, a plurality of drive electrodes COML, and aninsulation layer 24. The TFT substrate 21 serves as a circuit board. Thepixel electrodes 22 are arranged in a matrix above the TFT substrate 21.The drive electrodes COML are formed between the TFT substrate 21 andthe pixel electrodes 22. The insulation layer 24 electrically insulatesthe pixel electrodes 22 from the drive electrodes COML. The TFTsubstrate 21 is provided with a thin-film transistor (TFT) element Tr ofeach sub-pixel SPix illustrated in FIG. 10 and wiring, such as a signalline SGL and a scanning line GCL. The signal line SGL supplies the pixelsignal Vpix to each pixel electrode 22 illustrated in FIG. 9, whereasthe scanning line GCL drives each TFT element Tr. Thus, the signal lineSGL extends on a plane parallel to the surface of the TFT substrate 21and supplies the pixel signal Vpix used to display an image to a pixel.The liquid-crystal display unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes aplurality of sub-pixels SPix arranged in a matrix. The sub-pixels Spixeach include the TFT element Tr and a liquid-crystal element LC. The TFTelement Tr is formed of a thin-film transistor, and specifically of ann-channel metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) TFT in this example. One ofthe source and the drain of the TFT element Tr is coupled to the signalline SGL, the gate thereof is coupled to the scanning line GCL, and theother of the source and the drain thereof is coupled to one end of theliquid-crystal element LC. The one end of the liquid-crystal element LCis coupled to the drain of the TFT element Tr, whereas the other endthereof is coupled to the drive electrode COML, for example.

The sub-pixel SPix illustrated in FIG. 10 is coupled to other sub-pixelsSPix belonging to the same row in the liquid-crystal display unit 20 bythe scanning line GCL. The scanning line GCL is coupled to the gatedriver 12 and is supplied with the scanning signal Vscan from the gatedriver 12. The sub-pixel SPix is further coupled to other sub-pixelsSPix belonging to the same column in the liquid-crystal display unit 20by the signal line SGL. The signal line SGL is coupled to the sourcedriver 13 and is supplied with the pixel signal Vpix from the sourcedriver 13. The sub-pixel SPix is further coupled to the other sub-pixelsSPix belonging to the same row in the liquid-crystal display unit 20 bythe drive electrode COML. The drive electrode COML is coupled to thedrive electrode driver 14 and is supplied with the drive signal Vcomfrom the drive electrode driver 14. In other words, a plurality ofsub-pixels SPix belonging to the same row share a single drive electrodeCOML in this example. The direction in which the drive electrode COMLextends according to the first embodiment is parallel to the directionin which the scanning line GCL extends. The direction in which the driveelectrode COML extends according to the first embodiment is not limitedthereto. The direction in which the drive electrode COML extends may bea direction parallel to the direction in which the signal line SGLextends, for example.

The gate driver 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 applies the scanning signalVscan to the gate of the TFT element Tr of a pixel Pix via the scanningline GCL illustrated in FIG. 10. Thus, the gate driver 12 sequentiallyselects a row (a horizontal line) out of the sub-pixels SPix arranged ina matrix in the liquid-crystal display unit 20 as a target of displaydrive. The source driver 13 illustrated in FIG. 1 supplies the pixelsignal Vpix to each of the sub-pixels SPix constituting the horizontalline sequentially selected by the gate driver 12 via the signal line SGLillustrated in FIG. 10. These sub-pixels SPix perform display of thehorizontal line based on the supplied pixel signal Vpix. The driveelectrode driver 14 illustrated in FIG. 1 applies the drive signal Vcom,thereby driving the drive electrodes COML of each block composed of apredetermined number of drive electrodes COML illustrated in FIG. 7 andFIG. 8.

As described above, the gate driver 12 drives so as to performtime-division line-sequential scanning on the scanning line GCL, wherebythe liquid-crystal display unit 20 sequentially selects a horizontalline. The source driver 13 supplies the pixel signal Vpix to thesub-pixels SPix belonging to the horizontal line, whereby theliquid-crystal display unit 20 performs display of the horizontal line.To perform the display operation, the drive electrode driver 14 appliesthe drive signal Vcom to a block including the drive electrodes COMLcorresponding to the horizontal line.

The drive electrode COML according to the first embodiment functions asa drive electrode of the liquid-crystal display unit 20 and as a driveelectrode of the touch detecting device 30. FIG. 11 is a perspectiveview of an exemplary configuration of the drive electrodes and the touchdetection electrodes of the display device with a touch detectingfunction according to the first embodiment. The drive electrodes COMLillustrated in FIG. 11 face the pixel electrodes 22 in the directionperpendicular to the surface of the TFT substrate 21 as illustrated inFIG. 9. The touch detecting device 30 includes the drive electrodes COMLprovided to the pixel substrate 2 and the touch detection electrodes TDLprovided to the counter substrate 3. The touch detection electrodes TDLare formed into stripe-like electrode patterns extending in a directionintersecting with the extending direction of the electrode patterns ofthe drive electrodes COML. The touch detection electrodes TDL face thedrive electrodes COML in the direction perpendicular to the surface ofthe TFT substrate 21. The electrode patterns of the touch detectionelectrodes TDL are coupled to the input terminal of the touch detectionsignal amplifier 42 of the touch detecting unit 40. The electrodepatterns of the drive electrodes COML and the touch detection electrodesTDL intersecting with each other generate capacitance at theintersections. The touch detection electrodes TDL or the driveelectrodes COML (drive electrode block) are not necessarily separatedfrom one another in stripes. The touch detection electrodes TDL or thedrive electrodes COML (drive electrode block) may be formed into a combshape, for example. The touch detection electrodes TDL or the driveelectrodes COML (drive electrode block) simply needs to be separatedfrom one another. The shape of slits separating the drive electrodesCOML may be a straight line or a curved line.

With this configuration, the touch detecting device 30 performs a touchdetection operation by driving the drive electrode driver 14 so as toperform time-division line-sequential scanning on drive electrodeblocks. As a result, the touch detecting device 30 sequentially selectsa detection block of the drive electrodes COML in a scanning directionScan. The touch detecting device 30 then outputs the touch detectionsignal Vdet from the touch detection electrodes TDL. Thus, the touchdetecting device 30 performs touch detection in the detection block. Inother words, the drive electrode block corresponds to the driveelectrode E1 in the basic principle of touch detection described above,whereas the touch detection electrode TDL corresponds to the touchdetection electrode E2. The touch detecting device 30 detects a touch inaccordance with the basic principle. As illustrated in FIG. 11, theelectrode patterns intersecting with each other form a capacitive touchsensor in a matrix. Scanning the entire touch detection surface of thetouch detecting device 30 enables detection of the position where theexternal proximity object is in contact or in proximity with the device.

The liquid-crystal layer 6 modulates light passing therethroughdepending on the state of an electric field. The liquid-crystal layer 6is provided with liquid crystals of a lateral electric-field mode, suchas a fringe field switching (FFS) mode and an in-plane switching (IPS)mode. An orientation film may be provided between the liquid-crystallayer 6 and the pixel substrate 2 and between the liquid-crystal layer 6and the counter substrate 3 illustrated in FIG. 9.

The counter substrate 3 includes a glass substrate 31 and a color filter32 formed at one surface of the glass substrate 31. The touch detectionelectrode TDL serving as the detection electrode of the touch detectingdevice 30 is formed at the other surface of the glass substrate 31. Apolarization plate 35 is provided above the touch detection electrodeTDL.

In the color filter 32 illustrated in FIG. 9, color areas of the colorfilter colored with three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) areperiodically arranged, for example. Color areas 32R, 32G, and 32B (referto FIG. 10) colored with the three colors of R, G, and B, respectively,are associated with the sub-pixels SPix illustrated in FIG. 10. Thecolor areas 32R, 32G, and 32B serve as a group to form the pixel Pix.The pixels Pix are arranged in a matrix along a direction parallel tothe scanning line GCL and a direction parallel to the signal line SGL,thereby forming a display area Ad, which will be described later. Thecolor filter 32 faces the liquid-crystal layer 6 in the directionperpendicular to the TFT substrate 21. Thus, the sub-pixel SPix candisplay a single color. The color filter 32 may have another colorcombination as long as the color areas are colored with colors differentfrom one another. The color filter 32 is not necessarily provided. Theremay be an area in which the color filter 32 is not present, that is, anuncolored sub-pixel SPix.

The glass substrate 31 corresponds to a specific example of a“substrate” in the present disclosure. The color areas 32R, 32G, and 32Bcorrespond to a specific example of a “color area” in the presentdisclosure. The pixel Pix corresponds to a specific example of a “pixel”in the present disclosure. The touch detection electrode TDL correspondsto a specific example of a “touch detection electrode” in the presentdisclosure. The drive electrode COML corresponds to a specific exampleof a “drive electrode” in the present disclosure. The liquid-crystallayer 6 corresponds to a specific example of a “display functionallayer” in the present disclosure.

1-1B. Operation and Action

The following describes an operation and action of the display device 1with a touch detecting function according to the first embodiment.

The drive electrode COML functions as a common drive electrode of theliquid-crystal display unit 20 and as a drive electrode of the touchdetecting device 30. As a result, the drive signal Vcom may possiblyaffect both the liquid-crystal display unit 20 and the touch detectingdevice 30. To address this, the drive signal Vcom is applied to thedrive electrode COML separately in a display period B to perform adisplay operation and in a touch detection period A to perform a touchdetection operation. The drive electrode driver 14 applies the drivesignal Vcom as a display drive signal in the display period B to performa display operation. The drive electrode driver 14 applies the drivesignal Vcom as a touch drive signal in the touch detection period A toperform a touch detection operation. In the description below, the drivesignal Vcom serving as the display drive signal is referred to as adisplay drive signal Vcomd, whereas the drive signal Vcom serving as thetouch drive signal is referred to as a touch drive signal Vcomt.

Outline of the Entire Operation

Based on the video signal Vdisp supplied from the outside, the controlunit 11 supplies control signals to the gate driver 12, the sourcedriver 13, the drive electrode driver 14, and the touch detecting unit40, thereby controlling these units so as to operate in synchronizationwith one another. The gate driver 12 supplies the scanning signal Vscanto the liquid-crystal display unit 20 in the display period B, therebysequentially selecting a horizontal line to be a target of displaydrive. The source driver 13 supplies the pixel signal Vpix to each pixelPix constituting the horizontal line selected by the gate driver 12 inthe display period B.

In the display period B, the drive electrode driver 14 applies thedisplay drive signal Vcomd to a drive electrode block relating to thehorizontal line. In the touch detection period A, the drive electrodedriver 14 sequentially applies the touch drive signal Vcomt to a driveelectrode block relating to the touch detection operation, therebysequentially selecting one detection block. The display unit 10 with atouch detecting function performs a display operation based on thesignals supplied from the gate driver 12, the source driver 13, and thedrive electrode driver 14 in the display period B. The display unit 10with a touch detecting function performs a touch detection operationbased on the signal supplied from the drive electrode driver 14 andoutputs the touch detection signal Vdet from the touch detectionelectrode TDL in the touch detection period A. The touch detectionsignal amplifier 42 amplifies and outputs the touch detection signalVdet. The A/D converter 43 converts the analog signal output from thetouch detection signal amplifier 42 into a digital signal at a timingsynchronized with the touch drive signal Vcomt. The signal processingunit 44 detects whether a touch is made on the touch detecting device 30based on the output signal from the A/D converter 43. The coordinateextracting unit 45 derives, when a touch is detected by the signalprocessing unit 44, the touch panel coordinates of the touch.

Specific Operation

The following describes a specific operation of the display device 1with a touch detecting function. FIG. 12 is a timing waveform chart ofan exemplary operation of the display device with a touch detectingfunction according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 12,the liquid-crystal display unit 20 performs sequential scanning on eachhorizontal line of successive scanning lines GCL of the (n−1)-th row,the n-th row, and the (n+1)-th row among the scanning lines GCL based onthe scanning signal Vscan supplied from the gate driver 12, therebyperforming display. Similarly, the drive electrode driver 14 suppliesthe drive signal Vcom to successive drive electrodes COML of the(m−1)-th column, the m-th column, and the (m+1)-th column among thedrive electrodes COML of the display unit 10 with a touch detectingfunction based on the control signal supplied from the control unit 11.

As described above, the display device 1 with a touch detecting functionperforms the touch detection operation (touch detection period A) andthe display operation (display period B) in a time-division manner ineach display horizontal period (1H). In the touch detection operation,the display device 1 with a touch detecting function selects a differentdrive electrode COML and applies the drive signal Vcom thereto in eachdisplay horizontal period 1H, thereby performing scanning for touchdetection. The following describes the operation in greater detail.

The gate driver 12 applies the scanning signal Vscan to the scanningline GCL of the (n−1)-th row, thereby changing a scanning signalVscan(n-1) from a low level to a high level. This starts a displayhorizontal period 1H.

In the touch detection period A, the drive electrode driver 14 appliesthe drive signal Vcom to the drive electrode COML of the (m−1)-thcolumn, thereby changing a drive signal Vcom(m−1) from a low level to ahigh level. The drive signal Vcom(m−1) is transmitted to the touchdetection electrode TDL via capacitance, thereby changing the touchdetection signal Vdet. When the drive signal Vcom(m−1) changes from thehigh level to the low level, the touch detection signal Vdet changes inthe same manner. The waveform of the touch detection signal Vdet in thetouch detection period A corresponds to the touch detection signal Vdetin the basic principle of touch detection described above. The A/Dconverter 43 carries out A/D conversion on the touch detection signalVdet in the touch detection period A, thereby performing touchdetection. Thus, the display device 1 with a touch detecting functionperforms touch detection of one detection line.

In the display period B, the source driver 13 applies the pixel signalVpix to the signal line SGL, thereby performing display of a horizontalline. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the change in the pixel signal Vpix istransmitted to the touch detection electrode TDL via parasiticcapacitance, thereby changing the touch detection signal Vdet. In thedisplay period B, however, the A/D converter 43 carries out no A/Dconversion, making it possible to suppress an influence of the change inthe pixel signal Vpix on touch detection. After the source driver 13completes supplying the pixel signal Vpix, the gate driver 12 changesthe scanning signal Vscan(n−1) of the scanning line GCL of the (n−1)-throw from the high level to the low level. Thus, the display horizontalperiod is terminated.

Subsequently, the gate driver 12 applies the scanning signal Vscan tothe scanning line GCL of the n-th row, which is different from theprevious scanning line GCL, thereby changing a scanning signal Vscan(n)from a low level to a high level. This starts a next display horizontalperiod.

In the subsequent touch detection period A, the drive electrode driver14 applies the drive signal Vcom to the drive electrode COML of the m-thcolumn, which is different from the previous drive electrode COML. TheA/D converter 43 carries out A/D conversion on the change in the touchdetection signal Vdet, thereby performing touch detection of thedetection line.

In the display period B, the source driver 13 applies the pixel signalVpix to the signal line SGL, thereby performing display of a horizontalline. The drive electrode driver 14 applies the display drive signalVcomd to the drive electrode COML as a common potential. At this time,the potential of the display drive signal Vcomd is the same as that ofthe low level of the touch drive signal Vcomt in the touch detectionperiod A, for example. The display device 1 with a touch detectingfunction according to the first embodiment performs dot inversion drive.As a result, the polarity of the pixel signal Vpix applied by the sourcedriver 13 is inverted from that in the previous display horizontalperiod 1H. After the display period B is terminated, the current displayhorizontal period 1H is terminated.

By repeating the operation described above, the display device 1 with atouch detecting function performs a display operation by scanning theentire display surface and performs a touch detection operation byscanning the entire touch detection surface.

The display device 1 with a touch detecting function performs the touchdetection operation in the touch detection period A and performs thedisplay operation in the display period B in a display horizontal period(1H). Because the touch detection operation and the display operationare performed separately in the respective periods, the display device 1with a touch detecting function can perform both the display operationand the touch detection operation in a single display horizontal period1H. In addition, it is possible to suppress an influence of the displayoperation on the touch detection.

Arrangement of the Touch Detection Electrode

FIG. 13 is a schematic of arrangement of the touch detection electrodeTDL according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 13, thetouch detection electrode TDL according to the first embodiment includesa plurality of conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 extending ina direction Da on a plane parallel to the counter substrate 3 in anoverhead view. The conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 arezigzag lines or wavy lines bent at bent portions TDC1, TDC2, TDC3, andTDC4. The conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 are made of thesame material. The conductive thin wire ML1 and the conductive thin wireML2 are coupled to each other at an end ML1 e of the conductive thinwire ML1 and an end ML2 e of the conductive thin wire ML2 via a firstconductive part TDB1, thereby establishing electrical continuitytherebetween. The conductive thin wire ML1 and the conductive thin wireML2 extend in a manner having no part intersecting with each otherexcept for the part coupled to each other at the first conductive partTDB1 and belong to a detection area TDA. The conductive thin wire ML3and the conductive thin wire ML4 are coupled to each other at an end ML3e of the conductive thin wire ML3 and an end ML4 e of the conductivethin wire ML4 via the first conductive part TDB1, thereby establishingelectrical continuity therebetween. The conductive thin wire ML3 and theconductive thin wire ML4 extend in a manner having no part intersectingwith each other except for the part coupled to each other at the firstconductive part TDB1 and belong to the detection area TDA.

A plurality of detection areas TDA extend with a constant gap interposedtherebetween. In the detection areas TDA, the respective firstconductive parts TDB1 are coupled to each other via a second conductivepart TDB2, thereby establishing electrical continuity therebetween. Thesecond conductive part TDB2 is coupled to the touch detecting unit 40illustrated in FIG. 1 via detection wiring TDG. The first conductivepart TDB1 and the second conductive part TDB2 are made of the samematerial as that of the conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4.This configuration can reduce the number of conductive thin wires. Inaddition, the conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 are used toperform touch detection on a certain area, making it possible to reducethe resistance generated in the touch detection. The detection area TDAmay include three or more conductive thin wires or one conductive thinwire.

The conductive thin wire ML1 includes a thin wire piece Ua, a thin wirepiece Ub, and a thin wire piece Uc. The conductive thin wire ML1 isformed of the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, the thin wirepiece Uc, the thin wire piece Ub, the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wirepiece Ub, the thin wire piece Ua, and the thin wire piece Ub connectedin this order from the end ML1 e in the direction Da. The directions inwhich the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, and the thin wirepiece Uc extend are different from one another. The thin wire piece Uais a pattern made of a conductive material and includes a first end Ua1and a second end Ua2. The thin wire piece Ub is a pattern made of aconductive material and includes a first end Ub1 and a second end Ub2.The thin wire piece Uc is a pattern made of a conductive material andincludes a first end Uc1 and a second end Uc2.

The thin wire piece Ua and the thin wire piece Ub are connected to eachother at the second end Ua2 of the thin wire piece Ua and the first endUb1 of the thin wire piece Ub, thereby establishing electricalcontinuity therebetween. The connecting portion corresponds to the bentportion TDC1. The thin wire piece Ua and the thin wire piece Ub areconnected to each other at the second end Ub2 of the thin wire piece Uband the first end Ua1 of the thin wire piece Ua, thereby establishingelectrical continuity therebetween. The connecting portion correspondsto the bent portion TDC4. An angle θ1 represents the angle formed by thethin wire piece Ua and the thin wire piece Ub at the bent portion TDC1and the bent portion TDC4.

The thin wire piece Ub and the thin wire piece Uc are connected to eachother at the second end Ub2 of the thin wire piece Ub and the first endUc1 of the thin wire piece Uc, thereby establishing electricalcontinuity therebetween. The connecting portion corresponds to the bentportion TDC2. The thin wire piece Ub and the thin wire piece Uc areconnected to each other at the second end Uc2 of the thin wire piece Ucand the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub, thereby establishingelectrical continuity therebetween. The connecting portion correspondsto the bent portion TDC3. An angle θ2 represents the angle formed by thethin wire piece Ub and the thin wire piece Uc at the bent portion TDC2and the bent portion TDC3.

Because the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, and the thinwire piece Uc extend in different directions, the angle formed by thethin wire piece Ua and the thin wire piece Ub is different from theangle formed by the thin wire piece Ub and the thin wire piece Uc. Themagnitude of the angle θ1 is different from that of the angle θ2. In theconductive thin wire ML1, the angle θ1 is different from the angle θ2.The angle θ1 is formed by the thin wire piece Ua and the thin wire pieceUb adjacent to each other at the bent portion TDC1, whereas the angle θ2is formed by the thin wire piece Ub and the thin wire piece Uc adjacentto each other at the bent portion TDC2 next to the bent portion TDC1.

The conductive thin wire ML2 includes the thin wire piece Ua, the thinwire piece Ub, and the thin wire piece Uc. The conductive thin wire ML2is formed of the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, the thinwire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, the thin wire piece Uc, the thinwire piece Ub, the thin wire piece Ua, and the thin wire piece Ubconnected in this order from the end ML2 e in the direction Da. In otherwords, if the two ends ML2 e are superimposed on the respective two endsML1 e of the conductive thin wire ML1, the conductive thin wire ML2 hasa portion not overlapping with the conductive thin wire ML1. Theconductive thin wire ML2 has a shape different from that of theconductive thin wire ML1. In the conductive thin wire ML2, the angle θ1is different from the angle θ2. The angle θ1 is formed by the thin wirepiece Ua and the thin wire piece Ub adjacent to each other at the bentportion TDC1, whereas the angle θ2 is formed by the thin wire piece Uband the thin wire piece Uc adjacent to each other at the bent portionTDC2 next to the bent portion TDC1.

The conductive thin wire ML3 includes the thin wire piece Ua, the thinwire piece Ub, and the thin wire piece Uc. The conductive thin wire ML3is formed of the thin wire piece Uc, the thin wire piece Ub, the thinwire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, the thin wire piece Ua, the thinwire piece Ub, the thin wire piece Ua, and the thin wire piece Ubconnected in this order from the end ML3 e in the direction Da. In otherwords, if the two ends ML3 e are superimposed on the respective two endsML1 e of the conductive thin wire ML1, the conductive thin wire ML3 hasa portion not overlapping with the conductive thin wire ML1. If the twoends ML3 e are superimposed on the respective two ends ML2 e of theconductive thin wire ML2, the conductive thin wire ML3 has a portion notoverlapping with the conductive thin wire ML2. The conductive thin wireML3 has a shape different from those of the conductive thin wire ML1 andthe conductive thin wire ML2. In the conductive thin wire ML3, the angleθ2 is different from the angle θ1. The angle θ2 is formed by the thinwire piece Uc and the thin wire piece Ub adjacent to each other at thebent portion TDC3, whereas the angle θ1 is formed by the thin wire pieceUb and the thin wire piece Ua adjacent to each other at the bent portionTDC4 next to the bent portion TDC3.

The conductive thin wire ML4 includes the thin wire piece Ua, the thinwire piece Ub, and the thin wire piece Uc. The conductive thin wire ML4is formed of the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, the thinwire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, the thin wire piece Ua, the thinwire piece Ub, the thin wire piece Uc, and the thin wire piece Ubconnected in this order from the end ML4 e in the direction Da. In otherwords, if the two ends ML4 e are superimposed on the respective two endsML1 e of the conductive thin wire ML1, the conductive thin wire ML4 hasa portion not overlapping with the conductive thin wire ML1. If the twoends ML4 e are superimposed on the respective two ends ML2 e of theconductive thin wire ML2, the conductive thin wire ML4 has a portion notoverlapping with the conductive thin wire ML2. If the two ends ML4 e aresuperimposed on the respective two ends ML3 e of the conductive thinwire ML3, the conductive thin wire ML4 has a portion not overlappingwith the conductive thin wire ML3. The conductive thin wire ML4 has ashape different from those of the conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, andML3. In the conductive thin wire ML4, the angle θ1 is different from theangle θ2. The angle θ1 is formed by the thin wire piece Ua and the thinwire piece Ub adjacent to each other at the bent portion TDC1, whereasthe angle θ2 is formed by the thin wire piece Ub and the thin wire pieceUc adjacent to each other at the bent portion TDC2 next to the bentportion TDC1.

The width of the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, and thethin wire piece Uc preferably falls within a range of 3 μm to 10 μminclusive. By setting the width of the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wirepiece Ub, and the thin wire piece Uc to equal to or smaller than 10 μm,it is possible to reduce the area covering an opening part at whichtransmission of light is not suppressed by a black matrix or thescanning line GCL and the signal line SGL in the display area Ad. Thisreduces the possibility to decrease the opening ratio. By setting thewidth of the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, and the thinwire piece Uc to equal to or larger than 3 μm, the shapes thereof arestabilized, thereby reducing the possibility that the thin wire pieceUa, the thin wire piece Ub, and the thin wire piece Uc are broken. Inthe case where the width of the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wire pieceUb, and the thin wire piece Uc is smaller than 3 μm, the bent portionsof the conductive thin wires adjacent to each other are preferablyconnected, thereby establishing electrical continuity therebetween as ameasure against breaking of the wires as in a second embodiment, whichwill be described later.

The conductive thin wire ML1, for example, may include no thin wirepiece Uc as long as the conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4have shapes different from one another. The conductive thin wires ML1,ML2, ML3, and ML4 may have the same shape as long as the conductive thinwires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 each include a thin wire piece Ua, a thinwire piece Ub, and a thin wire piece Uc.

The conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 of the touch detectionelectrode TDL are made of a conductive metal material, specifically, ametal material of aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), molybdenum(Mo), chromium (Cr), and tungsten (W), and alloys of these.Alternatively, the conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 of thetouch detection electrode TDL are made of aluminum (Al), copper (Cu),silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), and tungsten (W), andoxides (a metal oxide) of these and has conductivity. The conductivethin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 may be obtained by patterning alaminated body in which at least one of the metal material and the metaloxide described above is laminated. Alternatively, the conductive thinwires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 may be obtained by patterning a laminatedbody in which at least one of the metal material, the metal oxidedescribed above and a translucent conductive oxide, such as an indiumtin oxide (ITO), serving as a material of a translucent electrode islaminated. The conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 haveresistance lower than that of a translucent conductive oxide, such as anITO, serving as a material of a translucent electrode. The material ofthe conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 have transmittancelower than that of an ITO in the same film thickness. The material ofthe conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 may have transmittanceof equal to or lower than 10%, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the detection areas TDA are arranged with theconstant gap interposed therebetween. An area in which the conductivethin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 are arranged in the touch detectionelectrode TDL is different in the light-shielding property from an areain which no conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 are arranged inthe touch detection electrode TDL. This may possibly make the touchdetection electrode TDL easy to visually recognize. To address this, thedummy electrode TDD not connected to the detection wiring TDG isarranged between the detection areas TDA adjacent to each other on thecounter substrate 3. The dummy electrode TDD is made of the samematerial as that of the conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 ofthe touch detection electrode TDL. The dummy electrode TDD may be madeof a different material as long as the dummy electrode TDD hassubstantially the same light-shielding property as that of the touchdetection electrode TDL.

The dummy electrode TDD illustrated in FIG. 13 includes a thin wirepiece Ud, a thin wire piece Ue, and a thin wire piece Uf. The directionin which the thin wire piece Ud according to the first embodimentextends is parallel to the direction in which the thin wire piece Uaaccording to the first embodiment extends, for example. The direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ue according to the first embodiment extendsis parallel to the direction in which the thin wire piece Ub accordingto the first embodiment extends, for example. The direction in which thethin wire piece Uf according to the first embodiment extends is parallelto the direction in which the thin wire piece Uc according to the firstembodiment extends, for example. The thin wire piece Ud, the thin wirepiece Ue, and the thin wire piece Uf are arranged such that the numberof thin wire pieces Ua, Ub, and Uc per unit area in the detection areaTDA is nearly the same as the number of thin wire pieces Ud, Ue, and Ufper unit area in the area other than the detection area TDA. A part ofthe dummy electrode TDD according to the first embodiment is formed ofthe thin wire piece Ud, the thin wire piece Ue, the thin wire piece Uf,the thin wire piece Ue, the thin wire piece Ud, the thin wire piece Ue,the thin wire piece Ud, and the thin wire piece Ue arranged in thisorder in the direction Da, for example. In other words, the dummyelectrode TDD has a portion overlapping with the conductive thin wireML1. This configuration reduces difference in the light-shieldingproperty between the area in which the touch detection electrode TDL isarranged and the area in which no touch detection electrode TDL isarranged. This can reduce the possibility that the touch detectionelectrode TDL is visually recognized.

The dummy electrode TDD has dividing portions TDDS serving as slits inwhich the same material as that of the conductive thin wires ML1, ML2,ML3, and ML4 is not provided between the thin wire piece Ud and the thinwire piece Ue and between the thin wire piece Ue and the thin wire pieceUf. The dividing portions TDDS prevent electrical continuity between thethin wire piece Ud and the thin wire piece Ue and between the thin wirepiece Ue and the thin wire piece Uf, thereby generating a difference incapacitance between the dummy electrode and the touch detectionelectrode. If a finger is in proximity with both the touch detectionelectrode TDL and the dummy electrode TDD in touch detection, thisconfiguration can reduce an influence caused by the dummy electrode TDDon the absolute value |ΔV| illustrated in FIG. 6. The dummy electrodeTDD includes the dividing portions TDDS, thereby generating a differencein capacitance between the dummy electrode TDD and the touch detectionelectrode TDL. This can reduce an influence on touch detection accuracy.

1-1C. Advantages

As described above, the pixels Pix are arranged in a matrix along adirection parallel to the scanning line GCL and a direction parallel tothe signal line SGL. If the scanning line GCL and the signal line SGLare covered with a black matrix, the black matrix suppressestransmission of light. If the scanning line GCL and the signal line SGLare not covered with black matrix, the scanning line GCL and the signalline SGL suppress transmission of light. In the first embodiment, aperiodic pattern of a plurality of lines extending along a directionparallel to the scanning line GCL is likely to appear on the displayarea Ad. A periodic pattern of a plurality of lines extending along adirection parallel to the signal line SGL is also likely to appear onthe display area Ad. If the touch detection electrode TDL is laminatedin a direction perpendicular to the surface of the display area Ad, thepatterns appearing on the display area Ad interfere with the touchdetection electrode TDL. This may possibly form a light and darkpattern, thereby causing moire to be visually recognized.

In the display device 1 with a touch detecting function according to thefirst embodiment, the shape of the conductive thin wire ML1 is differentfrom that of the conductive thin wire ML2 adjacent thereto, and theshape of the conductive thin wire ML3 is different from that of theconductive thin wire ML4 adjacent thereto. Thus, the angle formed by theconductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 and the pattern appearingon the display area Ad varies depending on the position. As a result,the display device 1 with a touch detecting function according to thefirst embodiment keeps the light and dark pattern described above fromhaving a constant period. This can reduce the possibility that moire isvisually recognized.

In the display device 1 with a touch detecting function according to thefirst embodiment, the shape formed by combining the conductive thin wireML1 and the conductive thin wire ML2 through the first conductive partTDB1 is different from that formed by combining the conductive thin wireML3 and the conductive thin wire ML4 through the first conductive partTDB1. Thus, the angle formed by the conductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3,and ML4 and the pattern appearing on the display area Ad variesdepending on the position. As a result, the display device 1 with atouch detecting function according to the first embodiment keeps thelight and dark pattern described above from having a constant period.This can reduce the possibility that moire is visually recognized.

In the display device 1 with a touch detecting function according to thefirst embodiment, the angle θ1 is different from the angle θ2 in theconductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4. The angle θ1 is formed bythe thin wire piece Ua and the thin wire piece Ub adjacent to each otherat the bent portion TDC1 or the bent portion TDC4, whereas the angle θ2is formed by the thin wire piece Ub and the thin wire piece Uc adjacentto each other at the bent portion TDC2 or the bent portion TDC3 next tothe bent portions. Thus, the angle formed by the conductive thin wiresML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 and the pattern appearing on the display area Advaries depending on the position. As a result, the display device 1 witha touch detecting function according to the first embodiment keeps thelight and dark pattern described above from having a constant period.This can reduce the possibility that moire is visually recognized.

1-1D. First Modification of the First Embodiment

FIG. 14 is a schematic of a part of arrangement of the touch detectionelectrode TDL according to a first modification of the first embodiment.The touch detection electrode TDL according to the first modification ofthe first embodiment includes conductive thin wires ML5, ML6, ML7, andML8 extending in a manner having no part intersecting with one anotheron a plane parallel to the counter substrate 3. The conductive thinwires ML5, ML6, ML7, and ML8 are zigzag lines or wavy lines bent at bentportions. The conductive thin wires ML5, ML6, ML7, and ML8 are made ofthe same material. The conductive thin wires ML5, ML6, ML7, and ML8 haveshapes different from one another. The conductive thin wires ML5, ML6,ML7, and ML8 are each formed of a plurality of thin wire piecesextending in different directions. While the first modification of thefirst embodiment illustrates no dummy electrode TDD for explanation, thedummy electrode TDD may be provided. Components similar to those of thefirst embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and aduplicate explanation thereof will be omitted.

The following describes a part of the conductive thin wire ML5. Theangle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at a bentportion TDC51 is an angle θ51. The angle formed by the thin wire piecesadjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC52 next to the bent portionTDC51 is an angle θ52. The angle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacentto each other at a bent portion TDC53 next to the bent portion TDC52 isan angle θ53. Because the conductive thin wire ML5 is formed only of thethin wire pieces extending in different directions, the angle θ51, theangle θ52, and the angle θ53 are different from one another.

The following describes a part of the conductive thin wire ML6. Theangle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at a bentportion TDC61 is an angle θ61. The angle formed by the thin wire piecesadjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC62 next to the bent portionTDC61 is an angle θ62. The angle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacentto each other at a bent portion TDC63 next to the bent portion TDC62 isan angle θ63. Because the conductive thin wire ML6 is formed only of thethin wire pieces extending in different directions, the angle θ61, theangle θ62, and the angle θ63 are different from one another.

The following describes a part of the conductive thin wire ML7. Theangle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at a bentportion TDC71 is an angle θ71. The angle formed by the thin wire piecesadjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC72 next to the bent portionTDC71 is an angle θ72. The angle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacentto each other at a bent portion TDC73 next to the bent portion TDC72 isan angle θ73. Because the conductive thin wire ML7 is formed only of thethin wire pieces extending in different directions, the angle θ71, theangle θ72, and the angle θ73 are different from one another.

The following describes a part of the conductive thin wire ML8. Theangle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at a bentportion TDC81 is an angle θ81. The angle formed by the thin wire piecesadjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC82 next to the bent portionTDC81 is an angle θ82. The angle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacentto each other at a bent portion TDC83 next to the bent portion TDC82 isan angle θ83. Because the conductive thin wire ML8 is formed only of thethin wire pieces extending in different directions, the angle θ81, theangle θ82, and the angle θ83 are different from one another.

The difference between the angle θ51 and the angle θ52 and thedifference between the angle θ52 and the angle θ53 are preferably 0degree to 15 degrees inclusive. The difference between the angle θ61 andthe angle θ62 and the difference between the angle θ62 and the angle θ63are preferably 0 degree to 15 degrees inclusive. The difference betweenthe angle θ71 and the angle θ72 and the difference between the angle θ72and the angle θ73 are preferably 0 degree to 15 degrees inclusive. Thedifference between the angle θ81 and the angle θ82 and the differencebetween the angle θ82 and the angle θ83 are preferably 0 degree to 15degrees inclusive.

1-1E. Advantages

In the touch detection electrode TDL according to the first modificationof the first embodiment, the conductive thin wires MLS, ML6, ML7, andML8 have shapes different from one another. Thus, the angle formed bythe conductive thin wires MLS, ML6, ML7, and ML8 and the patternappearing on the display area Ad varies depending on the position. As aresult, the touch detection electrode TDL according to the firstmodification of the first embodiment keeps the light and dark patterndescribed above from having a constant period. This can reduce thepossibility that moire is visually recognized.

In the touch detection electrode TDL according to the first modificationof the first embodiment, the angles formed by the thin wire piecesadjacent to each other at the bent portions are different from oneanother in the conductive thin wires ML5, ML6, ML7, and ML8. Thus, theangle formed by the conductive thin wires ML5, ML6, ML7, and ML8 and thepattern appearing on the display area Ad varies depending on theposition. As a result, the touch detection electrode TDL according tothe first modification of the first embodiment keeps the light and darkpattern described above from having a constant period. This can reducethe possibility that moire is visually recognized.

BY setting the difference between the angle θ51 and the angle θ52 andthe difference between the angle θ52 and the angle θ53 to 0 degree to 15degrees inclusive, for example, it is possible to facilitate themaintenance of the uniformity of the luminance in the display area Ad.As a result, the touch detection electrode TDL according to the firstmodification of the first embodiment can reduce the possibility thatwhat is called roughness on the display area Ad is visually recognized.

1-1F. Second Modification of the First Embodiment

FIG. 15 is a schematic of a part of arrangement of the touch detectionelectrode TDL according to a second modification of the firstembodiment. The touch detection electrode TDL according to the secondmodification of the first embodiment includes conductive thin wires MLa,MLb, MLc, and MLd extending in a manner having no part intersecting withone another on a plane parallel to the counter substrate 3. Theconductive thin wires MLa, MLb, MLc, and MLd are zigzag lines or wavylines bent at bent portions. The conductive thin wires MLa, MLb, MLc,and MLd are made of the same material. The conductive thin wires MLa,MLb, MLc, and MLd have the positions of the bent portions aligned in thedirection Da but have shapes different from one another. The conductivethin wires MLa, MLb, MLc, and MLd are each formed of a plurality of thinwire pieces extending in different directions. While the secondmodification of the first embodiment illustrates no dummy electrode TDDfor explanation, the dummy electrode TDD may be provided. Componentssimilar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the samereference numerals, and a duplicate explanation thereof will be omitted.

The shapes of the conductive thin wires MLa, MLb, MLc, and MLd aredetermined based on a virtual conductive thin wire MLv. The virtualconductive thin wire MLv is assumed to extend in the direction Da on aplane parallel to the counter substrate 3. In the description below, x-ycoordinates are assumed to be set on the plane parallel to the countersubstrate 3 for explanation. The y-direction in the x-y coordinates isparallel to the direction Da. The x-direction in the x-y coordinates isa direction orthogonal to the direction Da.

The virtual conductive thin wire MLv is formed of thin wire piecesextending in different directions. The deviations between the respectivebent portions in the x-direction in the virtual conductive thin wire MLvare constant, and the length thereof is a length Px. The deviationsbetween the respective bent portions in the y-direction in the virtualconductive thin wire MLv include at least a length Py1 and a length Py2,which are different from each other. The virtual conductive thin wireMLv includes a bent portion TDCv1, a bent portion TDCv2, and a bentportion TDCv3, for example. The bent portion TDCv2 is next to the bentportion TDCv1. The bent portion TDCv3 is next to the bent portion TDCv2.The deviation between the bent portion TDCv1 and the bent portion TDCv2in the y-direction is the length Py1. The deviation between the bentportion TDCv2 and the bent portion TDCv3 in the y-direction is thelength Py2.

The angle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at thebent portion TDCv1 is an angle θv1. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at the bent portion TDCv2 next to the bentportion TDCv1 is an angle θv2. The angle formed by the thin wire piecesadjacent to each other at the bent portion TDCv3 next to the bentportion TDCv2 is an angle θv3. Because the virtual conductive thin wireMLv is formed only of the thin wire pieces extending in differentdirections, the angle θv1, the angle θv2, and the angle θv3 aredifferent from one another.

The number of thin wire pieces included in each of the conductive thinwires MLa, MLb, MLc, and MLd is the same as that of thin wire piecesincluded in the virtual conductive thin wire MLv. In other words, thenumber of bent portions included in each of the conductive thin wiresMLa, MLb, MLc, and MLd is the same as that of bent portions included inthe virtual conductive thin wire MLv. The positions of the bent portionsin the y-direction in the conductive thin wires MLa, MLb, MLc, and MLdare the same as those of the bent portions in the y-direction in thevirtual conductive thin wire MLv.

The position of a bent portion TDCa1 in the y-direction in theconductive thin wire MLa is the same as that of the bent portion TDCv1in the y-direction in the virtual conductive thin wire MLv. The positionof a bent portion TDCa2 next to the bent portion TDCa1 in they-direction is the same as that of the bent portion TDCv2 in they-direction in the virtual conductive thin wire MLv. The position of abent portion TDCa3 next to the bent portion TDCa2 in the y-direction isthe same as that of the bent portion TDCv3 in the y-direction in thevirtual conductive thin wire MLv. The deviation in the x-directionbetween the bent portions farthest away from each other in thex-direction in the conductive thin wire MLa is equal to or smaller thana length Pxa.

The angle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at thebent portion TDCa1 is an angle θa1. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at the bent portion TDCa2 next to the bentportion TDCa1 is an angle θa2. The angle formed by the thin wire piecesadjacent to each other at the bent portion TDCa3 next to the bentportion TDCa2 is an angle θa3. Because the conductive thin wire MLa isformed only of the thin wire pieces extending in different directions,the angle θa1, the angle θa2, and the angle θa3 are different from oneanother.

The position of a bent portion TDCb1 in the y-direction in theconductive thin wire MLb is the same as that of the bent portion TDCv1in the y-direction in the virtual conductive thin wire MLv. The positionof a bent portion TDCb2 next to the bent portion TDCb1 in they-direction is the same as that of the bent portion TDCv2 in they-direction in the virtual conductive thin wire MLv. The position of abent portion TDCb3 next to the bent portion TDCb2 in the y-direction isthe same as that of the bent portion TDCv3 in the y-direction in thevirtual conductive thin wire MLv. The deviation in the x-directionbetween the bent portions farthest away from each other in thex-direction in the conductive thin wire MLb is equal to or smaller thana length Pxb.

The angle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at thebent portion TDCb1 is an angle θb1. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at the bent portion TDCb2 next to the bentportion TDCb1 is an angle θb2. The angle formed by the thin wire piecesadjacent to each other at the bent portion TDCb3 next to the bentportion TDCb2 is an angle θb3. Because the conductive thin wire MLb isformed only of the thin wire pieces extending in different directions,the angle θb1, the angle θb2, and the angle θb3 are different from oneanother.

The position of a bent portion TDCc1 in the y-direction in theconductive thin wire MLc is the same as that of the bent portion TDCv1in the y-direction in the virtual conductive thin wire MLv. The positionof a bent portion TDCc2 next to the bent portion TDCc1 in they-direction is the same as that of the bent portion TDCv2 in they-direction in the virtual conductive thin wire MLv. The position of abent portion TDCc3 next to the bent portion TDCc2 in the y-direction isthe same as that of the bent portion TDCv3 in the y-direction in thevirtual conductive thin wire MLv. The deviation in the x-directionbetween the bent portions farthest away from each other in thex-direction in the conductive thin wire MLc is equal to or smaller thana length Pxc.

The angle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at thebent portion TDCc1 is an angle θc1. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at the bent portion TDCc2 next to the bentportion TDCc1 is an angle θc2. The angle formed by the thin wire piecesadjacent to each other at the bent portion TDCc3 next to the bentportion TDCc2 is an angle θc3. Because the conductive thin wire MLc isformed only of the thin wire pieces extending in different directions,the angle θc1, the angle θc2, and the angle θc3 are different from oneanother.

The position of a bent portion TDCd1 in the y-direction in theconductive thin wire MLd is the same as that of the bent portion TDCv1in the y-direction in the virtual conductive thin wire MLv. The positionof a bent portion TDCd2 next to the bent portion TDCd1 in they-direction is the same as that of the bent portion TDCv2 in they-direction in the virtual conductive thin wire MLv. The position of abent portion TDCd3 next to the bent portion TDCd2 in the y-direction isthe same as that of the bent portion TDCv3 in the y-direction in thevirtual conductive thin wire MLv. The deviation in the x-directionbetween the bent portions farthest away from each other in thex-direction in the conductive thin wire MLd is equal to or smaller thana length Pxd.

The angle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at thebent portion TDCd1 is an angle θd1. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at the bent portion TDCd2 next to the bentportion TDCd1 is an angle θd2. The angle formed by the thin wire piecesadjacent to each other at the bent portion TDCd3 next to the bentportion TDCd2 is an angle θd3. Because the conductive thin wire MLd isformed only of the thin wire pieces extending in different directions,the angle θd1, the angle θd2, and the angle θd3 are different from oneanother.

The lengths Px, Pxa, Pxb, Pxc, and Pxd are preferably 40 μm to 300 μminclusive. By setting the lengths Px, Pxa, Pxb, Pxc, and Pxd to equal toor smaller than 300 μm, the touch detection electrode TDL is made hardto visually recognize with human eyes. In addition, it is possible toreduce the area covering an opening part at which transmission of lightis not suppressed by a black matrix or the scanning line GCL and thesignal line SGL in the display area Ad. This reduces the possibility todecrease the opening ratio. By setting the lengths Px, Pxa, Pxb, Pxc,and Pxd to equal to or larger than 40 μm, it is possible to increase therange of choice of the magnitude of the angles θa1, θb1, θc1, and θd1,for example.

The lengths Px, Pxa, Pxb, Pxc, and Pxd are more preferably equal to orsmaller than 200 μm. By setting the lengths Px, Pxa, Pxb, Pxc, and Pxdto equal to or smaller than 200 μm, the touch detection electrode TDL ismade harder to visually recognize with human eyes than the case of 300μm. In addition, it is possible to reduce the loss of the opening ratioto an extent not to hinder visual recognition.

The lengths Px, Pxa, Pxb, Pxc, and Pxd are still more preferably equalto or smaller than 100 μm. By setting the lengths Px, Pxa, Pxb, Pxc, andPxd to equal to or smaller than 100 μm, the touch detection electrodeTDL is made harder to visually recognize with human eyes than the caseof 200 μm. In addition, it is possible to reduce the loss of the openingratio to an extent not to hinder visual recognition.

A plurality of virtual conductive thin wires in which at least one ofthe angle θv1, the angle θv2, and the angle θv3 is different may beprovided. In the case where a plurality of virtual conductive thin wiresMLv are provided, the shapes of the conductive thin wires MLa, MLb, MLc,and MLd are, for example, determined based on the virtual conductivethin wires in which at least one of the angle θv1, the angle θv2, andthe angle θv3 is different. In this case, the positions of the bentportions in the y-direction in the conductive thin wires MLa, MLb, MLc,and MLd are deviated. Thus, the arrangement of the touch detectionelectrode TDL may be the same as the arrangement of the conductive thinwires MLS, ML6, ML7, and ML8 of the first modification of the firstembodiment.

1-1G. Advantages

In the touch detection electrode TDL according to the secondmodification of the first embodiment, the conductive thin wires MLa,MLb, MLc, and MLd have shapes different from one another. Thus, theangle formed by the conductive thin wires MLa, MLb, MLc, and MLd and thepattern appearing on the display area Ad varies depending on theposition. As a result, the touch detection electrode TDL according tothe second modification of the first embodiment keeps the light and darkpattern described above from having a constant period. This can reducethe possibility that moire is visually recognized.

In the touch detection electrode TDL according to the secondmodification of the first embodiment, the angles formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at the bent portions are different fromone another in the conductive thin wires MLa, MLb, MLc, and MLd. Thus,the angle formed by the conductive thin wires MLa, MLb, MLc, and MLd andthe pattern appearing on the display area Ad varies depending on theposition. As a result, the touch detection electrode TDL according tothe second modification of the first embodiment keeps the light and darkpattern described above from having a constant period. This can reducethe possibility that moire is visually recognized.

In the conductive thin wires MLa, MLb, MLc, and MLd, the positions ofthe bent portions in the y-direction are aligned. This facilitates themaintenance of the uniformity of the luminance in the display area Ad.As a result, the touch detection electrode TDL according to the secondmodification of the first embodiment can reduce the possibility thatwhat is called roughness on the display area Ad is visually recognized.

By setting the lengths Px, Pxa, Pxb, Pxc, and Pxd to 40 μm to 300 μminclusive, it is possible to further facilitate the maintenance of theuniformity of the luminance in the display area Ad. As a result, thetouch detection electrode TDL according to the second modification ofthe first embodiment can reduce the possibility that what is calledroughness on the display area Ad is visually recognized.

1-1H. Third Modification of the First Embodiment

FIG. 16 is a schematic for explaining the relative positional relationbetween the first end and the second end of the thin wire pieceaccording to a third modification of the first embodiment. The touchdetection electrode TDL according to the third modification of the firstembodiment is the touch detection electrode TDL illustrated in FIG. 13,where the directions in which the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wirepiece Ub, and the thin wire piece Uc extend are determined by the arrayof the pixels Pix. Specifically, the directions in which the thin wirepiece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, and the thin wire piece Uc extend aredetermined by the angle with respect to a pixel array direction Dyillustrated in FIG. 16. The direction Da in which the touch detectionelectrode TDL extends is parallel to the pixel array direction Dyillustrated in FIG. 16.

The following describes the pixel array direction Dy and the pixelorthogonal direction Dx illustrated in FIG. 16. As described above, thedisplay area Ad includes a plurality of pixels Pix each formed of agroup of the color areas 32R, 32G, and 32B associated with therespective sub-pixels SPix. The pixels Pix are arranged in a matrixalong a direction parallel to the scanning line GCL and a directionparallel to the signal line SGL. The pixels Pix are arranged such thatthe color areas 32R, 32G, and 32B and the color areas 32R, 32G, and 32Badjacent thereto, respectively, are arranged side by side with thescanning line GCL interposed therebetween.

The pixel array direction Dy is a direction in which the color areashaving the highest human visibility are aligned. The pixel orthogonaldirection Dx is a direction orthogonal to the pixel array direction Dyon a plane parallel to the surface of the counter substrate 3. G (green)has the highest human visibility of the three colors of R (red), G(green), and B (blue). Because the color areas 32G are aligned in adirection parallel to the signal line SGL in FIG. 16, the pixel arraydirection Dy according to the third modification of the first embodimentcorresponds to the direction parallel to the signal line SGL. In amodification where W (white) is added and four colors of R (red), G(green), B (blue), and W (white) are used, W (white) has the highesthuman visibility.

To explain the relative positional relation between the first end Ub1and the second end Ub2 of the thin wire piece Ub, for example, x-ycoordinates are set in FIG. 16. In the x-y coordinates, an origin P00 isset at an arbitrary point among the intersections of the scanning linesGCL and the signal lines SGL, and (0,0) represents the coordinates ofthe origin P00. The x-axis is set in a direction parallel to the pixelorthogonal direction Dx, whereas the y-axis is set in a directionparallel to the pixel array direction Dy. The maximum length of onepixel Pix in the x-direction is determined to be a unit length in thex-direction, whereas the maximum length of one pixel Pix in they-direction is determined to be a unit length in the y-direction. Themaximum length of one pixel Pix in the x-direction is a first unitlength Lx1, whereas the maximum length of one pixel Pix in they-direction is a second unit length Ly1. The ratio of the first unitlength Lx1 to the second unit length Ly1 according to the thirdmodification of the first embodiment is 1 to 1, for example.

The coordinates of a point moving forward in the x-direction by thefirst unit length Lx1 from the origin P00 and further moving forward inthe y-direction by the second unit length Ly1 are represented by (1,1),for example. In the x-y coordinates, a point P01 is a point whosecoordinates are (0,1). A point P15 is a point whose coordinates are(1,5). A point P14 is a point whose coordinates are (1,4). A point P13is a point whose coordinates are (1,3). A point P12 is a point whosecoordinates are (1,2). A point P35 is a point whose coordinates are(3,5). A point P23 is a point whose coordinates are (2,3). A point P34is a point whose coordinates are (3,4). A point P45 is a point whosecoordinates are (4,5). A point P56 is a point whose coordinates are(5,6). A point P11 is a point whose coordinates are (1,1). A point P65is a point whose coordinates are (6,5). A point P54 is a point whosecoordinates are (5,4). A point P43 is a point whose coordinates are(4,3). A point P32 is a point whose coordinates are (3,2). A point P53is a point whose coordinates are (5,3). A point P21 is a point whosecoordinates are (2,1). A point P31 is a point whose coordinates are(3,1). A point P41 is a point whose coordinates are (4,1). A point P51is a point whose coordinates are (5,1). A point P10 is a point whosecoordinates are (1,0).

Evaluation Examples Relating to the Angle with Respect to the PixelArray Direction Dy

Evaluation of visual recognition of moire was made by setting theposition of the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub at the point P00and changing the direction in which the second end Ub2 is positioned.The following describes the evaluation results with reference to firstto twenty-first evaluation examples illustrated in FIG. 17.

First Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a first evaluation example, aplurality of thin wire pieces parallel to the pixel array direction Dyare connected in the pixel array direction

Dy.

Second Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a second evaluation example, thethin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P15 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Third Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a third evaluation example, thethin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P14 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Fourth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a fourth evaluation example, thethin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P13 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Fifth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a fifth evaluation example, thethin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P12 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Sixth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a sixth evaluation example, thethin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P35 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Seventh Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a seventh evaluation example, thethin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P23 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Eighth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to an eighth evaluation example, thethin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P34 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Ninth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a ninth evaluation example, thethin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P45 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Tenth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a tenth evaluation example, thethin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P56 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Eleventh Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to an eleventh evaluation example,the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P11 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Twelfth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a twelfth evaluation example, thethin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P65 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Thirteenth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a thirteenth evaluation example,the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P54 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Fourteenth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a fourteenth evaluation example,the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P43 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Fifteenth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a fifteenth evaluation example,the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P32 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Sixteenth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a sixteenth evaluation example,the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P53 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Seventeenth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a seventeenth evaluation example,the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P21 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Eighteenth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to an eighteenth evaluation example,the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P31 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Nineteenth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a nineteenth evaluation example,the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P41 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Twentieth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a twentieth evaluation example,the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point P00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point P00toward the point P51 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Twenty-First Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a twenty-first evaluationexample, a plurality of thin wire pieces parallel to the pixelorthogonal direction Dx are connected in the pixel orthogonal directionDx.

Evaluation

In the moire evaluation, the visibility for human eyes of the moirepattern formed by a display image of the display device 1 with a touchdetection function corresponding to each of the first evaluation exampleto the twenty-first evaluation example is evaluated on a scale of fourgrades. The scale of four grades for the moire evaluation is as follows.The letter A indicates the case where no moire is visually recognized ifthe distance between the surface of the display device 1 with a touchdetecting function and the human eyes is smaller than 30 cm. The letterB indicates the case where no moire is visually recognized if thedistance between the display device 1 with a touch detecting functionand the human eyes is equal to or larger than 30 cm. The letter Cindicates the case where no moire is visually recognized if the distancebetween the display device 1 with a touch detecting function and thehuman eyes is equal to or larger than 60 cm. The letter D indicates thecase where moire is visually recognized if the distance between thedisplay device 1 with a touch detecting function and the human eyes isequal to or larger than 60 cm.

The sixth to the tenth evaluation examples and the twelfth to thesixteenth evaluation examples satisfy a first condition. The firstcondition is that the direction in which the thin wire piece Ub extendsforms an angle larger than 27 degrees and smaller than 45 degrees or anangle larger than 45 degrees and smaller than 63 degrees with respect tothe pixel array direction Dy. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the sixth tothe tenth evaluation examples and the twelfth to the sixteenthevaluation examples are assigned with A, B, and C in the moireevaluation. Thus, the conductive thin wire according to the thirdmodification of the first embodiment satisfying the first conditionsuppresses visual recognition of moire.

1-1I. Advantages

In the display device 1 with a touch detecting function according to thethird modification of the first embodiment, the conductive thin wiresML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 include the thin wire piece Ub satisfying thefirst condition. This can make the period of the light and dark patternshort enough not to be visually recognized by a human. The thin wirepiece Ub according to the third modification of the first embodiment,for example, extends at an angle with respect to the pixel orthogonaldirection Dx and the pixel array direction Dy. If the thin wire piece Ubsatisfies the first condition, the angle is made larger than a certainangle. This is likely to shorten the period of the light and darkpattern. In the display device 1 with a touch detecting functionaccording to the third modification of the first embodiment, theconductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 include the thin wire pieceUb satisfying the first condition. This can reduce the possibility thatmoire is visually recognized. If the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wirepiece Ub, and the thin wire piece Uc satisfy the first condition, thedisplay device 1 with a touch detecting function according to the thirdmodification of the first embodiment can reduce the possibility thatmoire is visually recognized.

In the display device 1 with a touch detecting function according to thethird modification of the first embodiment, the thin wire piece Ubextends in a direction inclined at an angle with respect to the pixelarray direction Dy. The tangent value of the angle is larger than avalue obtained by dividing the value of the first unit length Lx1 by avalue twice as large as the second unit length Ly1 and smaller than avalue obtained by dividing a value twice as large as the first unitlength Lx1 by the value of the second unit length Ly1. In addition, thetangent value of the angle is different from a value obtained bydividing the value of the first unit length Lx1 by the value of thesecond unit length Ly1. Thus, the angle of the direction in which thethin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel orthogonaldirection Dx and the pixel array direction Dy is made larger than acertain angle. This is likely to shorten the period of the light anddark pattern. As a result, the display device 1 with a touch detectingfunction according to the third modification of the first embodiment canreduce the possibility that moire is visually recognized.

1-1J. Fourth Modification of the First Embodiment

FIG. 18 is a schematic for explaining the relative positional relationbetween the first end and the second end of the thin wire pieceaccording to a fourth modification of the first embodiment. The touchdetection electrode TDL according to the fourth modification of thefirst embodiment is the touch detection electrode TDL illustrated inFIG. 13, where the directions in which the thin wire piece Ua, the thinwire piece Ub, and the thin wire piece Uc extend are determined by thearray of the pixels Pix. Specifically, the directions in which the thinwire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, and the thin wire piece Uc extendare determined by the angle with respect to the pixel array direction Dyillustrated in FIG. 18. The direction Da in which the touch detectionelectrode TDL extends is the same as the pixel array direction Dyillustrated in FIG. 18.

The following describes the pixel array direction Dy and the pixelorthogonal direction Dx illustrated in FIG. 18. As described above, thedisplay area Ad includes a plurality of pixels Pix each formed of agroup of the color areas 32R, 32G, 32B, and 32W associated with therespective sub-pixels SPix. The pixels Pix are arranged in a matrixalong a direction parallel to the scanning line GCL and a directionparallel to the signal line SGL. The pixels Pix are arranged such thatthe color areas 32R, 32G, 32B, and 32W and the color areas 32R, 32G,32B, and 32W adjacent thereto, respectively, are arranged side by sidewith the scanning line GCL interposed therebetween.

The pixel array direction Dy is a direction in which the color areashaving the highest human visibility are aligned. W (white) has thehighest human visibility of the four colors of R (red), G (green), B(blue), and W (white). Because the color areas 32W are aligned in adirection parallel to the signal line SGL in FIG. 18, the pixel arraydirection Dy corresponds to the direction parallel to the signal lineSGL.

To explain the relative positional relation between the first end Ub1and the second end Ub2 of the thin wire piece Ub, for example, x-ycoordinates are set in FIG. 18. In the x-y coordinates, an origin Q00 isset at an arbitrary point among the intersections of the scanning linesGCL and the signal lines SGL, and (0,0) represents the coordinates ofthe origin Q00. The x-axis is set in a direction parallel to the pixelorthogonal direction Dx, whereas the y-axis is set in a directionparallel to the pixel array direction Dy. The maximum length of onepixel Pix in the x-direction is determined to be a unit length in thex-direction, whereas the maximum length of one pixel Pix in they-direction is determined to be a unit length in the y-direction. Themaximum length of one pixel Pix in the x-direction is a first unitlength Lx2, whereas the maximum length of one pixel Pix in they-direction is a second unit length Ly2. The ratio of the first unitlength Lx2 to the second unit length Ly2 according to the fourthmodification of the first embodiment is 4 to 3, for example.

The coordinates of a point moving forward in the x-direction by thefirst unit length Lx2 from the origin Q00 and further moving forward inthe y-direction by the second unit length Ly2 are represented by (1,1),for example. In the x-y coordinates, a point Q01 is a point whosecoordinates are (0,1). A point Q15 is a point whose coordinates are(1,5). A point Q14 is a point whose coordinates are (1,4). A point Q13is a point whose coordinates are (1,3). A point Q12 is a point whosecoordinates are (1,2). A point Q35 is a point whose coordinates are(3,5). A point Q23 is a point whose coordinates are (2,3). A point Q34is a point whose coordinates are (3,4). A point Q45 is a point whosecoordinates are (4,5). A point Q56 is a point whose coordinates are(5,6). A point Q11 is a point whose coordinates are (1,1). A point Q65is a point whose coordinates are (6,5). A point Q54 is a point whosecoordinates are (5,4). A point Q43 is a point whose coordinates are(4,3). A point Q32 is a point whose coordinates are (3,2). A point Q53is a point whose coordinates are (5,3). A point Q21 is a point whosecoordinates are (2,1). A point Q31 is a point whose coordinates are(3,1). A point Q41 is a point whose coordinates are (4,1). A point Q51is a point whose coordinates are (5,1). A point Q10 is a point whosecoordinates are (1,0).

Evaluation Examples Relating to the Angle with Respect to the PixelArray Direction Dy

Evaluation of visual recognition of moire was made by setting theposition of the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub at the point Q00and changing the direction in which the second end Ub2 is positioned.The following describes the evaluation results with reference totwenty-second to forty-second evaluation examples illustrated in FIG.19.

Twenty-Second Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a twenty-second evaluationexample, a plurality of thin wire pieces parallel to the pixel arraydirection Dy are connected in the pixel array direction Dy.

Twenty-Third Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a twenty-third evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q15 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Twenty-Fourth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a twenty-fourth evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q14 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Twenty-Fifth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a twenty-fifth evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q13 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Twenty-Sixth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a twenty-sixth evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q12 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Twenty-Seventh Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a twenty-seventh evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q35 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Twenty-Eighth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a twenty-eighth evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q23 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Twenty-Ninth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a twenty-ninth evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q34 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Thirtieth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a thirtieth evaluation example,the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q45 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Thirty-First Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a thirty-first evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q56 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Thirty-Second Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a thirty-second evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q11 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Thirty-Third Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a thirty-third evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q65 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Thirty-Fourth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a thirty-fourth evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q54 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Thirty-Fifth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a thirty-fifth evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q43 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Thirty-Sixth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a thirty-sixth evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q32 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Thirty-Seventh Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a thirty-seventh evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q53 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Thirty-Eighth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a thirty-eighth evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q21 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Thirty-Ninth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a thirty-ninth evaluationexample, the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub areconnected alternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q31 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Fortieth Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a fortieth evaluation example,the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q41 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Forty-First Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a forty-first evaluation example,the thin wire pieces Ua and the thin wire pieces Ub are connectedalternately. If the first end Ub1 of the thin wire piece Ub ispositioned at the point Q00, the thin wire piece Ub is arranged suchthat the second end Ub2 is positioned in a direction from the point Q00toward the point Q51 serving as a target position. The thin wire pieceUa extends in a direction different from the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends. The magnitude of the angle of the direction inwhich the thin wire piece Ua extends with respect to the pixel arraydirection Dy is the same as that of the angle of the direction in whichthe thin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel array directionDy.

Forty-Second Evaluation Example

In a conductive thin wire according to a forty-second evaluationexample, a plurality of thin wire pieces parallel to the pixelorthogonal direction Dx are connected in the pixel orthogonal directionDx.

Evaluation

In the moire evaluation, the visibility for human eyes of the moirepattern formed by a display image of the display device 1 with a touchdetection function corresponding to each of the twenty-second evaluationexample to the forty-second evaluation example is evaluated on a scaleof four grades. The scale of four grades for the moire evaluation is asfollows. The letter A indicates the case where no moire is visuallyrecognized if the distance between the surface of the display device 1with a touch detecting function and the human eyes is smaller than 30cm. The letter B indicates the case where no moire is visuallyrecognized if the distance between the display device 1 with a touchdetecting function and the human eyes is equal to or larger than 30 cm.The letter C indicates the case where no moire is visually recognized ifthe distance between the display device 1 with a touch detectingfunction and the human eyes is equal to or larger than 60 cm. The letterD indicates the case where moire is visually recognized if the distancebetween the display device 1 with a touch detecting function and thehuman eyes is equal to or larger than 60 cm.

The twenty-seventh to the thirty-first evaluation examples and thethirty-third to the thirty-seventh evaluation examples satisfy a secondcondition. The second condition is that the direction in which the thinwire piece Ub extends forms an angle larger than 34 degrees and smallerthan 53 degrees or an angle larger than 54 degrees and smaller than 69degrees with respect to the pixel array direction Dy. As illustrated inFIG. 19, the twenty-seventh to the thirty-first evaluation examples andthe thirty-third to the thirty-seventh evaluation examples are assignedwith A, B, and C in the moire evaluation. Thus, the conductive thin wireaccording to the fourth modification of the first embodiment satisfyingthe second condition suppresses visual recognition of moire.

1-1K. Advantages

In the display device 1 with a touch detecting function according to thefourth modification of the first embodiment, the conductive thin wiresML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 include the thin wire piece Ub satisfying thesecond condition. This can make the period of the light and dark patternshort enough not to be visually recognized by a human. The thin wirepiece Ub according to the fourth modification of the first embodiment,for example, extends at an angle with respect to the pixel orthogonaldirection Dx and the pixel array direction Dy. If the thin wire piece Ubsatisfies the second condition, the angle is made larger than a certainangle. This is likely to shorten the period of the light and darkpattern. In the display device 1 with a touch detecting functionaccording to the fourth modification of the first embodiment, theconductive thin wires ML1, ML2, ML3, and ML4 include the thin wire pieceUb satisfying the second condition. This can reduce the possibility thatmoire is visually recognized. If the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wirepiece Ub, and the thin wire piece Uc satisfy the second condition, thedisplay device 1 with a touch detecting function according to the fourthmodification of the first embodiment can reduce the possibility thatmoire is visually recognized.

In the display device 1 with a touch detecting function according to thefourth modification of the first embodiment, the thin wire piece Ubextends in a direction inclined at an angle with respect to the pixelarray direction Dy. The tangent value of the angle is larger than avalue obtained by dividing the value of the first unit length Lx2 by avalue twice as large as the second unit length Ly2 and smaller than avalue obtained by dividing a value twice as large as the first unitlength Lx2 by the value of the second unit length Ly2. In addition, thetangent value of the angle is different from a value obtained bydividing the value of the first unit length Lx2 by the value of thesecond unit length Ly2. Thus, the angle of the direction in which thethin wire piece Ub extends with respect to the pixel orthogonaldirection Dx and the pixel array direction Dy is made larger than acertain angle. This is likely to shorten the period of the light anddark pattern. As a result, the display device 1 with a touch detectingfunction according to the fourth modification of the first embodimentcan reduce the possibility that moire is visually recognized.

1-2. Second Embodiment

The following describes a display device 1 with a touch detectingfunction according to a second embodiment. FIG. 20 is a schematic ofarrangement of a touch detection electrode TDL according to the secondembodiment. Components similar to those of the first embodiment aredenoted by the same reference numerals, and a duplicate explanationthereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, the touch detection electrode TDL accordingto the second embodiment includes a plurality of conductive thin wiresML9, ML10, ML11, and ML12 extending in the direction Da on a planeparallel to a counter substrate 3 in an overhead view. The conductivethin wires ML9, ML10, ML11, and ML12 are zigzag lines or wavy lines bentat bent portions TDC1, TDC2, TDC3, and TDC4. The conductive thin wiresML9, ML10, ML11, and ML12 are made of the same material. The conductivethin wire ML9 and the conductive thin wire ML10 are connected to eachother at an end ML9 e of the conductive thin wire ML9 and an end ML10 eof the conductive thin wire ML10 via a first conductive part TDB1,thereby establishing electrical continuity therebetween. The conductivethin wire ML9 and the conductive thin wire ML10 are arranged such thatbent portions thereof are into contact with each other and belong to adetection area TDA. The conductive thin wire ML9 and the conductive thinwire ML10 are connected to each other at an intersection TDX serving asthe contact portion, thereby establishing electrical continuitytherebetween. The conductive thin wire ML11 and the conductive thin wireML12 are connected to each other at an end ML11 e of the conductive thinwire ML11 and an end ML12 e of the conductive thin wire ML12 via thefirst conductive part TDB1, thereby establishing electrical continuitytherebetween. The conductive thin wire ML11 and the conductive thin wireML12 are arranged such that bent portions thereof are into contact witheach other and belong to the detection area TDA. The conductive thinwire ML11 and the conductive thin wire ML12 are connected to each otherat the intersection TDX serving as the contact portion, therebyestablishing electrical continuity therebetween.

The conductive thin wire ML9 corresponds to the conductive thin wire ML1according to the first embodiment. The conductive thin wire ML10includes the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, and the thinwire piece Uc. The conductive thin wire ML10 is formed of the thin wirepiece Ub, the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, the thin wirepiece Uc, the thin wire piece Ub, the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wirepiece Ub, and the thin wire piece Ua connected in this order from theend ML10 e in the direction Da. The position in the direction Da ofevery other bent portion of the conductive thin wire ML10 is the same asthat of every other bent portion of the conductive thin wire ML9. In theconductive thin wire ML10, an angle θ2 is different from an angle θ1.The angle θ2 is formed by the thin wire piece Ub and the thin wire pieceUc adjacent to each other at the bent portion TDC3, whereas the angle θ1is formed by the thin wire piece Ua and the thin wire piece Ub adjacentto each other at the bent portion TDC4 next to the bent portion TDC3.

The conductive thin wire ML11 corresponds to the conductive thin wireML2 according to the first embodiment. The conductive thin wire ML12includes the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, and the thinwire piece Uc. The conductive thin wire ML12 is formed of the thin wirepiece Ub, the thin wire piece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, the thin wirepiece Ua, the thin wire piece Ub, the thin wire piece Uc, the thin wirepiece Ub, and the thin wire piece Ua connected in this order from theend ML12 e in the direction Da. The position in the direction Da ofevery other bent portion of the conductive thin wire ML12 is the same asthat of every other bent portion of the conductive thin wire ML11. Inthe conductive thin wire ML12, the angle θ1 is different from the angleθ2. The angle θ1 is formed by the thin wire piece Ua and the thin wirepiece Ub adjacent to each other at the bent portion TDC1, whereas theangle θ2 is formed by the thin wire piece Ub and the thin wire piece Ucadjacent to each other at the bent portion TDC2 next to the bent portionTDC1.

The conductive thin wire ML9 and the conductive thin wire ML10 are notnecessarily connected to each other at the bent portions. The conductivethin wire ML11 and the conductive thin wire ML12 are not necessarilyconnected to each other at the bent portions. The conductive thin wireML9 and the conductive thin wire ML10 may be connected to each other atan intermediate portion of the thin wire piece Ua of the conductive thinwire ML9 and an intermediate portion of the thin wire piece Ub of theconductive thin wire ML10, thereby establishing electrical continuitytherebetween, for example.

1-2A. Advantages

In the touch detection electrode TDL according to the second embodiment,the shape of the conductive thin wire ML9 is different from that of theconductive thin wire ML10 adjacent thereto, and the shape of theconductive thin wire ML11 is different from that of the conductive thinwire ML12 adjacent thereto. Thus, the angle formed by the conductivethin wires ML9, ML10, ML11, and ML12 and the pattern appearing on thedisplay area Ad varies depending on the position. As a result, thedisplay device 1 with a touch detecting function according to the secondembodiment keeps the light and dark pattern described above from havinga constant period. This can reduce the possibility that moire isvisually recognized.

In the display device 1 with a touch detecting function according to thesecond embodiment, the shape formed by combining the conductive thinwire ML9 and the conductive thin wire ML10 through the first conductivepart TDB1 is different from the shape formed by combining the conductivethin wire ML11 and the conductive thin wire ML12 through the firstconductive part TDB1. Thus, the angle formed by the conductive thinwires ML9, ML10, ML11, and ML12 and the pattern appearing on the displayarea Ad varies depending on the position. As a result, the displaydevice 1 with a touch detecting function according to the secondembodiment keeps the light and dark pattern described above from havinga constant period. This can reduce the possibility that moire isvisually recognized.

In the display device 1 with a touch detecting function according to thesecond embodiment, the angle θ1 formed by the thin wire piece Ua and thethin wire piece Ub adjacent to each other at the bent portion TDC1 orthe bent portion TDC4 is different from the angle θ2 formed by the thinwire piece Ub and the thin wire piece Uc adjacent to each other at thebent portion TDC2 or the bent portion TDC3 next to the bent portionsTDC1 and TDC4 in the conductive thin wires ML9, ML10, ML11, and ML12.Thus, the angle formed by the conductive thin wires ML9, ML10, ML11, andML12 and the pattern appearing on the display area Ad varies dependingon the position. As a result, the display device 1 with a touchdetecting function according to the first embodiment keeps the light anddark pattern described above from having a constant period. This canreduce the possibility that moire is visually recognized.

If a part of a first conductive thin wire included in the detection areaTDA is formed thin, thereby making electrical continuity unreliable, thedisplay device 1 with a touch detecting function according to the secondembodiment can increase the probability of touch detection because ofthe intersection TDX coupling the first conductive thin wire to a secondconductive thin wire. If a part of the conductive thin wire ML9 isformed thin, thereby making electrical continuity unreliable, forexample, the display device 1 with a touch detecting function accordingto the second embodiment can increase the probability of touch detectionbecause of the intersection TDX coupling the conductive thin wire ML9 tothe conductive thin wire ML10.

1-2B. First Modification of the Second Embodiment

FIG. 21 is a schematic of a part of arrangement of a touch detectionelectrode TDL according to a first modification of the secondembodiment. The touch detection electrode TDL according to the firstmodification of the second embodiment includes a plurality of conductivethin wires ML13 to ML18. The conductive thin wires ML13 to ML18 extendin a manner having portions at which bent portions are into contact witheach other on a plane parallel to the counter substrate 3. Theconductive thin wires ML13 to ML18 are zigzag lines or wavy lines bentat the bent portions. The conductive thin wires ML13 to ML18 are made ofthe same material. The conductive thin wires ML13 to ML18 have shapesdifferent from one another. The conductive thin wires ML13 to ML18 areeach formed of a plurality of thin wire pieces extending in differentdirections. While the first modification of the second embodimentillustrates no dummy electrode TDD for explanation, the dummy electrodeTDD may be provided. Components similar to those of the first embodimentor the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, anda duplicate explanation thereof will be omitted.

The following describes a part of the conductive thin wire ML13. Theangle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at a bentportion TDC131 is an angle θ131. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC132 next to the bentportion TDC131 is an angle θ132. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC133 next to the bentportion TDC132 is an angle θ133. Because the conductive thin wire ML13is formed only of the thin wire pieces extending in differentdirections, the angle θ131, the angle θ132, and the angle θ133 aredifferent from one another.

The following describes a part of the conductive thin wire ML14. Theangle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at a bentportion TDC141 is an angle θ141. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC142 next to the bentportion TDC141 is an angle θ142. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC143 next to the bentportion TDC142 is an angle θ143. Because the conductive thin wire ML14is formed only of the thin wire pieces extending in differentdirections, the angle θ141, the angle θ142, and the angle θ143 aredifferent from one another.

The following describes a part of the conductive thin wire ML15. Theangle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at a bentportion TDC151 is an angle θ151. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC152 next to the bentportion TDC151 is an angle θ152. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC153 next to the bentportion TDC152 is an angle θ153. Because the conductive thin wire ML15is formed only of the thin wire pieces extending in differentdirections, the angle θ151, the angle θ152, and the angle θ153 aredifferent from one another.

The following describes a part of the conductive thin wire ML16. Theangle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at a bentportion TDC161 is an angle θ161. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC162 next to the bentportion TDC161 is an angle θ162. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC163 next to the bentportion TDC162 is an angle θ163. Because the conductive thin wire ML16is formed only of the thin wire pieces extending in differentdirections, the angle θ161, the angle θ162, and the angle θ163 aredifferent from one another.

The following describes a part of the conductive thin wire ML17. Theangle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at a bentportion TDC171 is an angle θ171. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC172 next to the bentportion TDC171 is an angle θ172. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC173 next to the bentportion TDC172 is an angle θ173. Because the conductive thin wire ML17is formed only of the thin wire pieces extending in differentdirections, the angle θ171, the angle θ172, and the angle θ173 aredifferent from one another.

The following describes a part of the conductive thin wire ML18. Theangle formed by the thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at a bentportion TDC181 is an angle θ181. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC182 next to the bentportion TDC181 is an angle θ182. The angle formed by the thin wirepieces adjacent to each other at a bent portion TDC183 next to the bentportion TDC182 is an angle θ183. Because the conductive thin wire ML18is formed only of the thin wire pieces extending in differentdirections, the angle θ181, the angle θ182, and the angle θ183 aredifferent from one another.

The difference between the angle θ131 and the angle θ132 and thedifference between the angle θ132 and the angle θ133 are preferably 0degree to 15 degrees inclusive. The difference between the angle θ141and the angle θ142 and the difference between the angle θ142 and theangle θ143 are preferably 0 degree to 15 degrees inclusive. Thedifference between the angle θ151 and the angle θ152 and the differencebetween the angle θ152 and the angle θ153 are preferably 0 degree to 15degrees inclusive. The difference between the angle θ161 and the angleθ162 and the difference between the angle θ162 and the angle θ163 arepreferably 0 degree to 15 degrees inclusive. The difference between theangle θ171 and the angle θ172 and the difference between the angle θ172and the angle θ173 are preferably 0 degree to 15 degrees inclusive. Thedifference between the angle θ181 and the angle θ182 and the differencebetween the angle θ182 and the angle θ183 are preferably 0 degree to 15degrees inclusive.

1-2C. Advantages

In the touch detection electrode TDL according to the first modificationof the second embodiment, the conductive thin wires ML13 to ML18 haveshapes different from one another. Thus, the angle formed by theconductive thin wires ML13 to ML18 and the pattern appearing on thedisplay area Ad varies depending on the position. As a result, the touchdetection electrode TDL according to the first modification of thesecond embodiment keeps the light and dark pattern described above fromhaving a constant period. This can reduce the possibility that moire isvisually recognized.

In the touch detection electrode TDL according to the first modificationof the second embodiment, the angles formed by the thin wire piecesadjacent to each other at the bent portions are different from oneanother in the conductive thin wires ML13 to ML18. Thus, the angleformed by the conductive thin wires ML13 to ML18 and the patternappearing on the display area Ad varies depending on the position. As aresult, the touch detection electrode TDL according to the firstmodification of the second embodiment keeps the light and dark patterndescribed above from having a constant period. This can reduce thepossibility that moire is visually recognized.

Thus, the angle formed by the conductive thin wires ML13 to ML18 of thetouch detection electrode TDL and the pattern appearing on the displayarea Ad varies depending on the position in the touch detectionelectrode TDL according to the first modification of the secondembodiment. This can keep the light and dark pattern described abovefrom having a constant period, thereby reducing the possibility thatmoire is visually recognized.

By setting the difference between the angle θ131 and the angle θ132 andthe difference between the angle θ132 and the angle θ133 to 0 degree to15 degrees inclusive, for example, it is possible to facilitate themaintenance of the uniformity of the luminance in the display area Ad.As a result, the touch detection electrode TDL according to the firstmodification of the second embodiment can reduce the possibility thatwhat is called roughness on the display area Ad is visually recognized.

If a part of a first conductive thin wire among the conductive thinwires ML13 to ML18 is formed thin, thereby making electrical continuityunreliable, the display device 1 with a touch detecting functionaccording to the first modification of the second embodiment canincrease the probability of touch detection because of the intersectionTDX coupling the first conductive thin wire to a second conductive thinwire. If a part of a first conductive thin wire included in thedetection area TDA is formed thin, thereby making electrical continuityunreliable, for example, the display device 1 with a touch detectingfunction according to the first modification of the second embodimentcan increase the probability of touch detection because of theintersection TDX coupling the first conductive thin wire to a secondconductive thin wire. If a part of the conductive thin wire ML13 isformed thin, thereby making electrical continuity unreliable, forexample, the display device 1 with a touch detecting function accordingto the first modification of the second embodiment can increase theprobability of touch detection because of the intersection TDX couplingthe conductive thin wire ML13 to the conductive thin wire ML14.

1-3. Third Embodiment

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of a schematic sectional structure of thedisplay unit with a touch detecting function according to a thirdembodiment. In the display device 1 with a touch detecting functionaccording to the embodiments and the modifications, the display unit 10with a touch detecting function is formed by integrating theliquid-crystal display unit 20 provided with liquid crystals of varioustypes of modes, such as the FFS mode and the IPS mode, and the touchdetecting device 30. Instead of this, a display unit 10 with a touchdetecting function according to the third embodiment illustrated in FIG.22 may be formed by integrating liquid crystals of various types ofmodes, such as a twisted nematic (TN) mode, a vertical alignment (VA)mode, and an electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) mode, and atouch detecting device.

2. Application Examples

The following describes application examples of the displaying device 1with a touch detecting function explained in the first to the thirdembodiments and the modifications with reference to FIG. 23 to FIG. 35.FIG. 23 to FIG. 35 are schematics of examples of an electronic apparatusto which the display device with a touch detecting function or thedisplay device according to any of the first to the third embodimentsand the modifications is applied. The display device 1 with a touchdetecting function and the display device according to the first to thethird embodiments and the modifications are applicable to electronicapparatuses of all fields, such as television apparatuses, digitalcameras, notebook personal computers, portable electronic apparatusesincluding mobile phones, and video cameras. In other words, the displaydevice 1 with a touch detecting function and the display deviceaccording to the first to the third embodiments and the modificationsare applicable to electronic apparatuses of all fields that displayvideo signals received from the outside or video signals generatedinside thereof as an image or video.

2-1. First Application Example

An electronic apparatus illustrated in FIG. 23 is a television apparatusto which the display device 1 with a touch detecting function and thedisplay device according to the first to the third embodiments and themodifications are applied. The television apparatus has a video displayscreen 510 including a front panel 511 and a filter glass 512, forexample. The video display screen 510 corresponds to the display device1 with a touch detecting function and the display device according tothe first to the third embodiments and the modifications.

2-2. Second Application Example

An electronic apparatus illustrated in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 is a digitalcamera to which the display device 1 with a touch detecting function andthe display device according to the first to the third embodiments andthe modifications are applied. The digital camera includes a lightemitting unit 521 for flash, a display unit 522, a menu switch 523, anda shutter button 524, for example. The display unit 522 corresponds tothe display device 1 with a touch detecting function and the displaydevice according to the first to the third embodiments and themodifications.

2-3. Third Application Example

An electronic apparatus illustrated in FIG. 26 is a video camera towhich the display device 1 with a touch detecting function and thedisplay device according to the first to the third embodiments and themodifications are applied. The video camera includes a main body 531, alens 532 provided to the front side surface of the main body 531 andused for photographing a subject, a start/stop switch 533 used inphotographing, and a display unit 534, for example. The display unit 534corresponds to the display device 1 with a touch detecting function andthe display device according to the first to the third embodiments andthe modifications.

2-4. Fourth Application Example

An electronic apparatus illustrated in FIG. 27 is a notebook personalcomputer to which the display device 1 with a touch detecting functionand the display device according to the first to the third embodimentsand the modifications are applied. The notebook personal computerincludes a main body 541, a keyboard 542 used for input of characters,and a display unit 543 that displays an image, for example. The displayunit 543 corresponds to the display device 1 with a touch detectingfunction and the display device according to the first to the thirdembodiments and the modifications.

2-5. Fifth Application Example

An electronic apparatus illustrated in FIG. 28 to FIG. 35 is a mobilephone to which the display device 1 with a touch detecting function andthe display device according to the first to the third embodiments andthe modifications are applied. The mobile phone includes an upperhousing 551 and a lower housing 552 connected by a connection (a hinge)553, for example. The mobile phone includes a display 554, a sub-display555, a picture light 556, and a camera 557. The display 554 and/or thesub-display 555 correspond to the display device 1 with a touchdetecting function and the display device according to the first to thethird embodiments and the modifications.

2-6. Sixth Application Example

An electronic apparatus illustrated in FIG. 35 operates as a mobilecomputer, a multifunctional mobile phone, a mobile computer capable ofmaking a voice call, or a mobile computer capable of performingcommunications. The electronic apparatus is a portable informationterminal, which may be called a smartphone or a tablet terminal. Theportable information terminal includes a display unit 562 on the surfaceof a housing 561, for example. The display unit 562 corresponds to thedisplay device 1 with a touch detecting function and the display deviceaccording to the first to the third embodiments and the modifications.

3. Aspects of the Present Disclosure

The present disclosure includes the following aspects.

(1) A display device with a touch detecting function comprising:

a substrate;

a display area in which pixels each composed of a plurality of colorareas are arranged in a matrix on a plane parallel to a surface of thesubstrate;

a touch detection electrode provided with a plurality of conductive thinwires extending on a plane parallel to the surface of the substrate,each of the conductive thin wires including a plurality of thin wirepieces each having a linear shape and including a first end and a secondend, the second end of one of adjacent thin wire pieces and the firstend of the other of the adjacent thin wire pieces being connected toeach other;

a drive electrode having capacitance for the touch detection electrode;and

a display functional layer having a function to display an image on thedisplay area,

wherein

the adjacent thin wire pieces are arranged so as to be bent at a bentportion serving as a portion at which the second end of the one thinwire piece of the adjacent thin wire pieces is connected to the firstend of the other thin wire piece of the adjacent thin wire pieces, and

the conductive thin wires include a bent portion having an angle formedby the adjacent thin wire pieces different from angles of the other bentportions.

(2) The display device with a touch detecting function according to (1),wherein the adjacent thin wires have shapes different from each other.

(3) The display device with a touch detecting function according to (1),wherein the conductive thin wires are configured such that an angleformed by thin wire pieces adjacent to each other at a bent portiondifferent from an angle formed by thin wire pieces adjacent to eachother at a bent portion next to the bent portion.(4) The display device with a touch detecting function according to (1),wherein, when the maximum length of one pixel in a pixel orthogonaldirection orthogonal to a pixel array direction on the plane parallel tothe surface of the substrate is determined to be a first unit length,and the maximum length of one pixel in a direction parallel to the pixelarray direction is determined to be a second unit length, the thin wirepieces extend in a direction inclined at an angle with respect to thepixel array direction, and a tangent value of the angle is larger than avalue obtained by dividing the value of the first unit length by a valuetwice as large as the second unit length, is smaller than a valueobtained by dividing a value twice as large as the first unit length bythe value of the second unit length, and is different from a valueobtained by dividing the value of the first unit length by the value ofthe second unit length.(5) The display device with a touch detecting function according to (1),wherein the thin wire pieces extend in a direction inclined at an anglelarger than 27 degrees and smaller than 45 degrees or an angle largerthan 45 degrees and smaller than 63 degrees with respect to a pixelarray direction in which a color area having the highest humanvisibility among the color areas is aligned.(6) The display device with a touch detecting function according toclaim 1, wherein the conductive thin wires adjacent to each other arearranged in a manner having no part intersecting with each other.(7) The display device with a touch detecting function according to (1),wherein the conductive thin wires adjacent to each other are arranged ina manner having a contact part at which the bent portions are intocontact with each other, and one conductive thin wire of the adjacentconductive thin wires is connected to the other conductive thin wire ofthe adjacent conductive thin wires at the contact part.(8) An electronic apparatus having a display device with a touchdetecting function, the display device with a touch detecting functioncomprising:

a substrate;

a display area in which pixels each composed of a plurality of colorareas are arranged in a matrix on a plane parallel to a surface of thesubstrate;

a touch detection electrode provided with a plurality of conductive thinwires extending on a plane parallel to the surface of the substrate,each of the conductive thin wires including a plurality of thin wirepieces each having a linear shape and including a first end and a secondend, the second end of one of adjacent thin wire pieces and the firstend of the other of the adjacent thin wire pieces being connected toeach other;

a drive electrode having capacitance for the touch detection electrode;and

a display functional layer having a function to display an image on thedisplay area, wherein

the adjacent thin wire pieces are arranged so as to be bent at a bentportion serving as a portion at which the second end of the one thinwire piece of the adjacent thin wire pieces is connected to the firstend of the other thin wire piece of the adjacent thin wire pieces, and

the conductive thin wires include a bent portion having an angle formedby the adjacent thin wire pieces different from angles of the other bentportions.

The display device with a touch detecting function and the electronicapparatus according to the present disclosure can reduce the possibilitythat moire is visually recognized while using a touch detectionelectrode made of a conductive material, such as a metal material.

The electronic apparatus according to the present disclosure includesthe above-mentioned display device with a touch detecting function.Examples of the electronic apparatus according to the present disclosureinclude, but are not limited to, television apparatuses, digitalcameras, personal computers, video cameras, and portable electronicapparatuses, such as mobile phones.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A display device comprising: asubstrate; pixels arranged on the substrate; and a touch detectionelectrode including thin wire pieces, the touch detection electrodeincluding a first thin wire and a second thin wire, each of the firstthin wire and the second thin wire including first parts of the thinwire pieces, wherein the first thin wire includes a first bent portionand a second bent portion, each of the first bent portion and the secondbent portion formed by two of the first parts of the thin wire pieces,an angle of the first bent portion different from an angle of the secondbent portion, wherein the first thin wire and the second thin wire areconnected by a connecting portion, wherein a second part of the thinwire pieces is not connected to the first thin wire, the second thinwire, and the connecting portion, and wherein the second part of thethin wire pieces is arranged between the first thin wire and the secondthin wire.
 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the firstthin wire and second thin wire extend in a first direction, the firstwire being apart from the second thin wire in a second directioncrossing to the first direction, and wherein the connecting portionextends the second direction.
 3. The display device according to claim1, wherein the first thin wire and second thin wire have shapesdifferent from each other.
 4. The display device according to claim 1,wherein the connecting portion includes a first connecting portion and asecond connecting portion, and wherein the first bent portion and thesecond bent portion are arranged between the first connecting portionand the second connecting portion.
 5. The display device according toclaim 1, wherein the second thin wire includes a third bent portion anda fourth bent portion, each of the third bent portion and the fourthbent portion formed by two of the first parts of the thin wire pieces,an angle of the third bent portion different from an angle of the fourthbent portion.
 6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein theconnecting portion includes a first connecting portion and a secondconnecting portion, and wherein the first bent portion, the second bentportion, the third bent portion, and the fourth bent portion arearranged between the first connecting portion and the second connectingportion.
 7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the touchdetection electrode includes a third thin wire, and wherein the firstthin wire, the second thin wire, and the third wire are connected by theconnecting portion.
 8. The display device according to claim 7, whereinthe second part of the thin wire pieces is not arranged between thethird thin wire and the first thin wire.
 9. The display device accordingto claim 7, wherein the touch detection electrode includes a fourth thinwire, and wherein the first thin wire, the second thin wire, the thirdwire, and the fourth wire are connected by the connecting portion. 10.The display device according to claim 9, wherein the second part of thethin wire pieces is not arranged between the fourth thin wire and thesecond thin wire.
 11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein aprotruding direction of the first bent portion is opposite to aprotruding direction of the second bent portion.
 12. The display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein, the maximum length of one pixel in apixel orthogonal direction orthogonal to a pixel array direction on aplane parallel to a surface of the substrate is a first unit length, themaximum length of one pixel in the pixel array direction is a secondunit length, the thin wire pieces extend in a direction inclined at anangle with respect to the pixel array direction, and a tangent value ofthe angle is larger than a value obtained by dividing the value of thefirst unit length by a value twice as large as the second unit length,is smaller than a value obtained by dividing a value twice as large asthe first unit length by the value of the second unit length, and isdifferent from a value obtained by dividing the value of the first unitlength by the value of the second unit length.
 13. The display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the thin wire pieces extend in a directioninclined at an angle larger than 27 degrees and smaller than 45 degreesor at an angle larger than 45 degrees and smaller than 63 degrees withrespect to a pixel array direction in which a color area having thehighest human visibility among a plurality of color areas included ineach of the pixels is aligned.
 14. The display device according to claim1, wherein a difference between a first angle of the first bent portionand a second angle of the second bent portion is less than 15 degrees.15. A detection device comprising: a touch detection electrode includingthin wire pieces, the touch detection electrode including a first thinwire and a second thin wire, each of the first thin wire and the secondthin wire including first parts of the thin wire pieces, wherein thefirst thin wire includes a first bent portion and a second bent portion,each of the first bent portion and the second bent portion formed by twoof the first parts of the thin wire pieces, an angle of the first bentportion different from an angle of the second bent portion, wherein thefirst thin wire and the second thin wire are connected by a connectingportion, wherein a second part of the thin wire pieces is not connectedto the first thin wire, the second thin wire, and the connectingportion, and wherein the second part of the thin wire pieces is arrangedbetween the first thin wire and the second thin wire.
 16. A detectiondevice comprising: a touch detection electrode including thin wirepieces, the touch detection electrode including a first thin wire and asecond thin wire, each of the first thin wire and the second thin wireincluding first parts of the thin wire pieces, wherein the first thinwire includes a first bent portion and the second thin wire includes asecond bent portion, each of the first bent portion and the second bentportion formed by two of the first parts of the thin wire pieces, anangle of the first bent portion different from an angle of the secondbent portion, wherein the first thin wire and the second thin wire areconnected by a connecting portion, wherein a second part of the thinwire pieces is not connected to the first thin wire, the second thinwire, and the connecting portion, and wherein the second part of thethin wire pieces is arranged between the first thin wire and the secondthin wire.
 17. The detection device according to claim 16, wherein thefirst bent portion and the second bent portion is connected to theconnecting portion, and wherein a protruding direction of the first bentportion is equal to a protruding direction of the second bent portion.18. A display device comprising a substrate, pixels arranged on thesubstrate and the detection device according to claim 16.